Fish the Kona Coast on a 53-foot Merritt with an air-conditioned salon
4 hour
Private charter, Crew guidance, 2 bathrooms
Book a custom private charter aboard Bite Me 5, a 53-foot Merritt sport-fishing boat in Kailua-Kona. Fish with experienced professionals and relax in an air-conditioned salon built for groups.
Non-residents age 15+ need a Hawaii ocean fishing license; youth under 15 and active-duty military personnel and their families are exempt. License fees are $20 (1-day), $40 (7-day), or $70 (annual) and are nonrefundable once issued.
OUR CANCELLATION POLICY IS 48 HOURS. ANY CHANGES OR CANCELLATIONS MUST BE MADE BEFORE 48 HOURS OF DEPARTURE
If you are a non-resident age 15 or older and you plan to ocean fish from the boat in Hawaii, you need a fishing license. Youth under 15 and active-duty military personnel and their families are exempt.
Buy your license for the day, week, or year you will be fishing. Licenses are valid from the date of issue, dates cannot be changed, and licenses are not refundable, so avoid buying too far in advance in case your trip date changes due to weather or other reasons.
No. It is customary to tip the captain and crew 15–30% of the charter fee for good service, whether or not you catch a fish.
Honokohau Marina at 74-425 Kealakehe Parkway, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Bite Me Sportfishing runs multiple boats out of Kona, and the experience can genuinely vary depending on which vessel and crew you end up with. The standout performers consistently mentioned are Momi, Captain Nate, Sean, Jimmy, Captain Brian, and Cameron, all of whom bring real energy and knowledge to their trips. Highlights include the manta ray night snorkel tours, which earn almost universally glowing praise, and several memorable big game catches including blue and striped marlin. The fishing trips are a bit more of a mixed bag. A handful of reviewers on Bite Me 3 specifically called out crews that felt disengaged and unwilling to adjust tactics when conditions weren't producing. These weren't isolated complaints, so it's worth keeping in mind when booking. That said, plenty of other guests had genuinely great days on the water, and even trips without a catch were described as enjoyable when the crew put in the effort. Going in with realistic expectations is probably the smartest move here. As one reviewer put it, treat it as a beautiful boat ride where catching fish is the bonus, and you'll likely have a great time. The manta ray experiences in particular seem like a safe bet for anyone looking for a guaranteed wow moment.
The Manta Ray night dive was soo cool! We seen at least 10 Mantas and they swam right under us, doing flips, eating plankton and brushing up against us! The whole crew was amazing, helping us along the way, giving us info about the Mantas and the school of fish that was also there! Shoutout to Momi, she’s an amazing woman!💕
hannah Wigzell
May 9, 2026
The Manta Ray night dive was soo cool! We seen at least 10 Mantas and they swam right under us, doing flips, eating plankton and brushing up against us! The whole crew was amazing, helping us along the way, giving us info about the Mantas and the school of fish that was also there! Shoutout to Momi, she’s an amazing woman!💕
hannah Wigzell
May 9, 2026