Rod and Reel, Net or Spearfishing

• Papio are juvenile ulua.fish image by Earl Robbins from Fotolia.com
  
  The regulations for taking fish in Hawaii are the same whether you use a rod and reel or spear. Smaller fish are taken with a three-pronged tip while larger species are taken with single barb spears. Shore fishermen generally use spinning gear or baitcasting rigs. Ulua (giant trevally or jack), including kahala, omilu and papio are much-sought after as a food fish. They are speared in caves and fished for primarily at night. Minimum size is 10 inches for personal use, 16 inches for sale, and there is a total daily limit of 20 fish total of all species.
  
  

Netting Small Fish

• Manini (left) are plentiful inshore.oahu fish 1 image by 76media from Fotolia.com
  
  Netting has special restrictions on mesh and net size. A variety of smaller schooling fish are commonly taken by net. The aholehole and manini must be a minimum of five inches. Akule under 8 1/2 inches cannot be taken with a net from July through October. Up to one gallon of nehu can be taken for home consumption. 'Ama 'ama (striped mullet) must be a minimum of 11 inches and the season is closed from December through March. Awa must be a minimum of 9 inches if speared or sold. 'Opelu cannot be attracted with animal bait except with hook and line in restricted areas of the Big Island.
  
  

Reef Dwellers

• Kala have a horn like a unicorn.tropical reef fish image by Steve Marquez from Fotolia.com
  
  Fish commonly found on reefs in Hawaii include the parrot fish (uhu), minimum size 12 inches. Goatfish include the kumu (minimum 10 inches), the weke, 'oama and moana, minimum 7 inches. The kala, or unicorn tang, must be 14 inches. 'Opelu kala must be 16 inches. The uku (gray snapper) must be a minimum of one pound for sale.
  
  

Beach Dwellers and Others

• Blacktips and gray sharks are common in Hawai'i.white tip reef shark image by Wong Kim Fung from Fotolia.com
  
  Some species are most commonly caught off sandy beaches. The moi is highly sought and must be a minimum of 11 inches, with a bag limit of 15 fish. 'O'io (bonefish) must be a minimum of 14 inches but can reach several feet in length. Bottom dwellers include a stonefish that can reach several feet in length. These have poisonous spines in their dorsal fins and should be handled carefully. Spiny lobsters can be taken by hand or net (not speared) from September 1 through April 31 and must have a minimum carapace length of 3 1/4 inches. Kona crabs can be taken during the same period, with a 4-inch minimum carapace length if they are going to be sold. Octopus can be taken by hand or speared. Inshore shark species include the galapagos, blacktip reef, gray reef, blacktip, whitetip, smooth and scalloped hammerheads, bignose and of course the tiger shark. Hawaiians refer to sharks as 'aumakua--ancient spirits. It is considered kapu (forbidden) by locals to kill sharks. Unknown species of fish should not be kept.
  
  

Marine Life Conservation Districts

• MLCDs are restricted for fishing of any kind. There are three MLCDs on Oahu: Hanauma Bay, Pupukea and Waikiki. Maui MLCDs are at Molokini and Honolua-Mokuleia Bay. Lanai has the Manele-Hulopoe MLCD, and on the Big Island, MLCDs are at Kealakekua Bay, Lapakahi, Wailea Bay, Old Kona Airport and the Waiopae Tidepools. In addition to these protected areas, there are 18 additional regions defined as Marine Fisheries Management Areas.