Photo credits Brianna Wright

Last season set the bar high in the Hawaiian Division. Captain Nick Durham and Team Tantrum delivered an epic run, racking up 2,950 points, highlighted by a 715-pound marlin during the Kona Throwdown. That event returns in July and remains one of the key stops on the schedule.

Now, the focus shifts to 2026.

The summer stretch is where the Hawaiian Division takes shape, with six sanctioned tournaments packed into June and July. It is a fast, high-pressure window where points can stack quickly.

Captain Tracy is already on the board with an early win at the Lure Maker Challenge in March, putting his team in a strong position heading into the heart of the season.

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The Sonar Factor

Competition in Kona continues to evolve, and one factor stands above the rest—sonar.

Tracy notes that nearly every top team is now equipped with omni sonar, changing how captains approach the fishery.

“We’ve got a lot of really good teams fishing,” said Tracy. “Most, if not all, are running sonar. It’s super competitive, and the edge goes to the teams that can make the most of it.”

Durham’s dominant 2025 season showed just how powerful the technology can be when used effectively.

Tracy shared insight into what crews are actually seeing.

“The bite ratio is roughly one bite for every five blue marlin marked on sonar if you’re lucky.”

That stat alone gives a clearer picture of just how much information captains are processing—and how critical decision-making has become.

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Changing the Record Books

With sonar now part of the game, marlin catch numbers are being pushed into new territory.

Before omni sonar, the trolling record in Kona stood at seven marlin in a day, a mark Tracy himself reached twice. Captains Carlton Taniyama, Jason Holtz and Russ Nitta each hit that number once.

Since then, things have shifted.

Captain Bryan Toney reportedly raised the bar in 2024 with a 14-marlin day, though some fish may have been caught on live bait. More recently, Captain Jack Leverone aboard Huntress recorded 10 marlin trolling on lures.

Even before sonar, standout performances existed. Captain Kevin Nakamaru landed eight marlin twice using live skipjacks.

The difference now is consistency. With sonar, captains are finding more fish and converting more opportunities, changing expectations across the fleet.

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A Fishery Evolving

The Hawaiian Division is entering a new phase. Technology is raising the ceiling, and the competition is tightening.

For crews and anglers, there may be no better time to experience Kona firsthand. The combination of world-class fishing and modern tools has created one of the most dynamic blue marlin fisheries in the world.

Stay up to date with all Hawaii Division coverage on InTheBite.com.

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Off the Bridge with Captain Tracy Epstein

Music when fishing—yes or no?
Sometimes. When we do, it’s a Hawaiian-style vibe.

First concert?
2007 – UB40

If your fishing team were a movie, which one would it be?
The Hangover

For more information about fishing with Captain Tracy and Last Chance check out his website here.

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