Hawaii Game Fish Records: State Line Classes and Top Species

The state’s Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) administers its own recognition program independent of the International Game Fish Association (IGFA). The two systems track catches independently, and a single fish can appear on both lists with different weights or line classes. State records are organized by species and by line class (20, 30, 50, 80, and 130 lb test), with additional categories for fly and specialty tackle.

The sections below cover how the state program works, the species it tracks, and the steps required to certify your own catch.

How Hawaii’s Record System Differs from the IGFA

Visiting anglers often assume IGFA rules cover every catch in Hawaii, but the state runs its own program through the Division of Aquatic Resources, a branch of the Department of Land and Natural Resources. DAR publishes the state list, while IGFA maintains a parallel global database through a voluntary application process.

Because the two systems operate independently, a fish can hold an IGFA all-tackle world record and a separate Hawaii state record in a different line class. Anglers chasing a place in either book need to check both lists rather than relying on the one with stronger name recognition.

Why Line Class Matters

Each line class is defined by the maximum breaking strength of the tackle used to hook and fight a fish. Standard saltwater classes run at 20, 30, 50, 80, and 130 lb test, with tippet weight rules applying to fly records. A lighter-line catch can stand as a record even when a heavier-line catch on the same species is larger overall. This setup rewards anglers who push lighter tackle against trophy fish, not just those who grind on the heaviest gear.

Where to Find the Official List

DAR publishes current state records on the DLNR website. Older issues of Hawaii Fishing News and tournament archives from the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament (HIBT) carry historical entries that often predate the digital record books. Cross-referencing those three sources fills gaps that any single database leaves behind.

The Big-Game Pelagic Species That Dominate the List

Marlin, tuna, and other offshore pelagics fill most of the top slots and shape Hawaii’s standing as a premier big-game fishing destination. Traveling anglers most often check Pacific blue marlin, yellowfin tuna (ahi), wahoo (ono), mahi-mahi, and skipjack tuna.

A Pacific blue marlin weighing 1,805 lb stands as an early benchmark that put Kona on the global sportfishing map. Yellowfin tuna in Hawaiian waters routinely exceed 200 lb, with the state record approaching the 400 lb mark. Wahoo, mahi-mahi, and skipjack round out the offshore categories, each tracked by line class.

Offshore Species Snapshot

Species	Local Name	Habitat	Typical Method
Pacific blue marlin	Kajiki	Offshore, deep blue water	Trolling with large lures or whole bait
Yellowfin tuna	Ahi	Pelagic schools, often near FADs and current edges	Trolling, chunking, vertical jigging
Wahoo	Ono	Offshore, high-speed current lines	High-speed trolling with lures
Mahi-mahi	Dolphinfish	Surface around flotsam and weed lines	Trolling near floating structure
Skipjack tuna	Akule / Aku	Pelagic schools near bird stacks	Trolling, live bait, cast retrieve

Pelagic records draw most of the search traffic, but the state saltwater list runs much deeper than the offshore trolling categories.

That broader reach begins at the shoreline, where the inshore and bottom categories quietly rack up their own notable catches.

Inshore and Bottom Fish Records Worth Knowing

Beyond the offshore pelagics, inshore and bottom fish records demonstrate that Hawaii’s fishery offers far more variety than open-water trolling. The biggest inshore species on the books is ulua, the Hawaiian name for giant trevally (GT), with inshore marks surpassing 150 lb. Ulua are caught from rocky shores, cliff ledges, and kayaks on heavy spinning or conventional tackle.

Deep-water bottom fish records include onaga (red snapper), opakapaka (pink snapper), and uku (gray snapper). These species live in several hundred feet of water and require electric or hydraulic reels, sturdy rods, and careful depth management. Smaller inshore species like papio (young trevally), moi (threadfin), and barracuda fill out the broader inshore saltwater list.

Bottom Fish Snapshot

Species	Local Name	Typical Depth	Tackle Note
Onaga	Red snapper	600–1,200 ft	Electric or hydraulic reel required
Opakapaka	Pink snapper	400–900 ft	Light bottom-fishing rigs, fluorocarbon leader
Uku	Gray snapper	300–700 ft	Congregates around structure and ledges
Ulua	Giant trevally	Surface to mid-depth	Heavy shore tackle, often from cliffs or kayak

These categories matter because they show the breadth of the program: a record catch can come from a 60-foot charter boat or a shoreline ledge.

How to Qualify and Apply for a Hawaii Game Fish Record

Qualifying for a Hawaii state record means meeting DAR’s sporting tackle rules, documenting the catch accurately, and submitting a clean application. Standards are similar to IGFA rules but administered by the state, so do not assume an IGFA application covers a state record automatically.

The fish must be hooked, fought, and brought to the boat or shore by the angler, and the line class on the application must match the actual line used. A witness signature is required, and a certified scale must verify the weight. Photos and measurements accompany the submission so DAR staff can confirm species ID, length, and girth.

Application Checklist

• ▸Species and weight: Confirm the ID with a field guide or local expert, then record the exact weight on a certified scale.
• ▸Line class: Match the line used to the closest DAR category (20, 30, 50, 80, or 130 lb test).
• ▸Location and date: Note the specific island, area, and date of catch, since DAR tracks records by region.
• ▸Witness signature: Have a non-angler witness sign the application, ideally someone who saw the weigh-in.
• ▸Photos and measurements: Photograph the whole fish, the scale readout, and the bent rod or leader, and record length and girth.

“Heads up: DAR updates the official application periodically, so pull the latest version from the DLNR website before filling anything out. Submitting an older form is the most common reason applications get sent back.

The whole process typically takes a few weeks of preparation, the catch itself, and a short submission window. Get the application and a sturdy scale in your kit before the trip, and the rest follows the catch.

IGFA vs. State Records and Where to Find Current Data

Hawaii record fish can hold IGFA world records in specific line classes that differ from the all-tackle state mark. The reverse also holds: a fish can top the Hawaii state list in one line class without ever appearing on the IGFA books. Treat the two as separate systems that occasionally overlap rather than a single ranking.

DAR publishes the most current state-level list on the DLNR website, while IGFA maintains global standings through its own database. Tournament records from HIBT and club tournament logs add historical context that older PDFs often miss.

Quick Comparison: Where to Look

Source	What It Covers	Best For
Hawaii DAR (DLNR)	State records by species and line class	Verifying a current state mark
IGFA database	World records by species, line class, and tippet	Checking a global or all-tackle record
Hawaii Fishing News archives	Historical entries and tournament results	Pre-digital era records and context
HIBT / club tournament logs	Big-game tournament results from Kona and beyond	Blue marlin and ahi historical catches

Cross-referencing both lists is the safest move, since a single database rarely covers every relevant line class or decade.

Limits, Misconceptions, and the Angler’s Next Step

Records depend on line class, so a lighter-line catch can stand as a record even if a heavier catch on the same species is larger overall. Catch-and-release and tag-and-release categories exist in some programs but are not always mirrored in Hawaii’s state list, so verify the current rules before targeting a specific category.

One common misconception is that a local tournament catch automatically becomes a state record. It does not, unless the catch meets DAR’s application standards. Another is that a fish caught outside Hawaii’s EEZ can count; in most cases it cannot, since DAR tracks catches in state waters. Regulations and qualifying categories update periodically, so the rules in place at the start of a season may differ from those at season’s end.

“Pro tip: Pull the latest DAR record list and the corresponding application at least a month before your trip. Pick a target species, match your tackle to the qualifying line class, and pre-print a blank form to keep on the boat.

The most practical next step is straightforward: open the current DAR list, pick a species, and match your rod and reel to the line class you want to fish. Everything else, from bait to scale to witness, falls into place once that decision is made.

With those details settled, the larger takeaway comes back into focus.

The Big Picture

Hawaii’s separate record program rewards anglers who fish within line class rules, document carefully, and target species ranging from offshore pelagics to deep-water snappers. The smartest approach is to treat the state list and the IGFA list as two separate scoreboards, double-check DAR’s current rules before the trip, and keep a certified scale within reach.

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