Full Day Sportsman/enthusiast Charter

My son and I had the fishing trip of a lifetime with Captain Gage and Kona Cowboy Sport Fishing. I originally booked a four-hour trip because my son is still young, and I honestly wasn’t sure how long he would last on the boat. Fortunately for us, their schedule allowed us to extend the trip when four hours came and my son absolutely refused to get off. We ended up spending the full day on the water, and it became one of those experiences I know we’ll both remember forever. My son had one goal: catch his first marlin. The fish weren’t cooperating, but Captain Gage never treated it like just another slow day of fishing. At one point, he took my son aside and showed him how to rig a different lure — one that had been given to him and clearly had some special meaning. My son went right back to the chair, staring out at the ocean and waiting for his marlin. Then it happened. Bo, who was assisting Captain Gage that day, spotted a marlin hitting that very lure. Suddenly everything came alive. Gage and Bo coached my son through it, helped him fight the fish, and a little while later he had his first marlin. What impressed me most was that these guys clearly know exactly what they’re doing, but they also understood how important that moment was to a kid. They made him part of the experience instead of simply putting him on a fish. Captain Gage taking the time to teach him, letting him rig that lure, and then having the marlin hit that exact setup made the whole thing feel almost unbelievable. That is the kind of day you hope for when you take your son fishing. Now my son regularly asks me when we can take another 13-hour plane ride back to Hawaii so we can fish with Captain Gage and Bo again and catch more marlin. I think that says everything. If you are looking for a Kona fishing charter — especially if you’re bringing your son or daughter and want this to be more than just another boat ride — I cannot recommend Kona Cowboy Sport Fishing highly enough. Five stars isn’t enough.

Iv been on a lot of chartered fishing trips in Hawaii but none can compete with Kona Cowboy captain gaige put us on the fish deckhand Bo best around we landed 300LB + blue marlin and a big Ahi tuna made our trip and My Son‘s 15th birthday. Excellent couldn’t ask for a better time. And a the boat was top notch air-conditioning was a big plus

Captain Gage and mate Bo did a great job on our trip. I went out with three boys (14, 14, 10) and they made the trip a great time for everyone. One of the boys landed a 89-inch Blue Marlin which made the whole trip! The guys were so excited and encouraging through the trip and kept the boys engaged the full day. On top of that the boat is pretty awesome! We would certainly do this trip again if we come back to Kona. Definitely recommend Kona Cowboy!

Capt Gaige and crew have it beyond dialed in. Every time I’ve been with them it’s been a great success. Marlin, Ono, Spearfish, etc… I’ve caught it all with him. His enthusiasm and passion is second to none. I will forever be a customer of Kona Cowboy

Had an amazing day fishing with Cage and Bo on the Kona Cowboy. They both are very friendly gave clear and concise instructions and checked we were okay through the day. When we hooked up they reacted fast to make sure our catch was successful. Caught and released a gorgeous blue marlin. Great day on the water.

Awesome experience I would definitely recommend going with Captain Gaige on the Kona cowboy he was friendly and definitely knew how to catch fish.

Captain Gaige and Bo did an amazing job putting us on the fish. My wife and I landed a Spearfish, Blue Marlin, and 3 Yellowfin Tuna. We had a few more bites that got away. Excellent, clean boat with updated electronics. Will absolutely fish with them again.

2 days with Captain and Crew led to 20 different kinds of fish caught including a Blue Marlin, Yellow Tail, Tuna And Mahi Mahi. Captain and Crew were helpful, funny, and fish pouncers. For a novice and the more advanced, this is a delightful time spent with a team that loves fishing.

I had a great time the Gaige and Bo, they did a great job, communication was great, punctual, clean, comfortable boat. I never base my review of fishing charters on the catch, rather how hard they work and did I think they put it all into my experience. In this case it was first rate. I did catch two great fish as a huge bonus!!!!

My 19 year old son has been deep sea fishing for the last 7 years and decided to try and catch a blue marlin. We booked the all day charter and indeed were able to obtain one! The first mate Bo did an excellent job explaining how to reel in the fish and use the chair- more thorough than other charters we have been on. The captain, Gage, also did a great job with the boat while getting the fish. The boat itself had plenty of space inside and was very comfortable. Also one of the cleanest boats we have been on. Chips and drinks were provided.

Fantastic Adventure! I highly recommend deep sea fishing with Captain Gaige and first mate Ryan. I have been bill fishing three times and this was definitely my best experience. Captain Gaige is young and enthusiastic as well as very knowledgeable about fishing in Kona area. It was impressive to watch Ryan work nonstop maintaining/changing the fishing lines while simultaneously keeping boat deck clear of clutter while carrying on conversation with you. We were fortunate to catch a blue Marlin and Capt. Gaige and Ryan did all they could to help me reel in my first blue marlin. Ryan even served us some sashimi from some freshly caught Skipjack tuna! The fishing trip on Cowboy Kona was the highlight of our vacation week.

From the moment I stepped onto the boat I felt right at home. Captain Gaige and first mate Ryan find the perfect balance of being hardcore fisherman but also easy going guys who are great fun to spend a day out on the water with. I’m an avid fisherman but the knowledge between those two boys about fishing blew me away. The boat was very well maintained and the equipment preformed without a flaw. You can tell these guys really love what they do and put everything they can into making it a great experience. Whether you luck out with a fish or not I can guarantee you’ll have a good time with these guys. Will definitely be back.

We text, left vm with questions and was told that we would be able to keep,our catch. We are local and after being told we had to release the Blue Marlin (which we were ok with) they kept the 95 pound yellow fin tuna. Which was extremely frustrating and then we were expected to tip too. When you ask the questions and are old the catch is yours that’s what you expect. We would not have kept the whole fish either, but not even given the option. The Captain was on his phone a lot, I think to find place to fish. We are planning 2 more trips but will find another boat that honors the clients keep the fish.

AWESOME - two experiences with Ryan and Gaige were super fun. It is called "fishing" and not "catching" for a reason. A captain can find the perfect spot; the first mate can bait a rod with the perfect lure - BUT there is no guarantee they can make the fish bite!!! With that being said we did a 3/4-day trip with only one tuna caught and three days later did a full day (in the same fishing areas) and caught 2 marlin and 2 mahi-mahi. Whether you are lucky enough to catch fish or not, the boat is very comfortable, and Gaige and Ryan do all they can to make the trip pleasant. Both are willing to engage in conversation if that is what you want or let you rest and relax if that is what you want - as Ryan said - "this is the client's trip" and they do make the trip all about the what the client wants. If the fish aren't biting, they will try different spots, lures - whatever they can do to get you a fish. I consider fishing requiring a little luck and they do try to be luckier. Great fun

My son and I chartered a full day trip with Capt Gaige at Kona Cowboy. We are both experienced at offshore fishing, my son has even fished a number of billfish tournaments in the gulf of Mexico region. We arrived early and Capt Gaige had the boat completely ready to go. Shortly after departing the harbor we had all the lures in the water in an efficient and well practiced manner.... and we were fishing. Early morning action was a bit slow. Capt Gaige never stopped changing tactics, speeds, lures, etc. Just before 11:00 or so we had a nice marlin come into the set and a few tense seconds later then left long began to dump line, we had "fish on". Capt Gaige and my son quickly cleared all the liners and soon we had a nice 275-300# marlin alongside the "Kona Cowboy". After some great photos we released the marlin and continued to fish with another marlin coming in to the set later but we were not able to get him to take take the lure. The day was a perfect day on the water fishing with a knowledgeable, passionate, and professional Captain. We will be back to Kona and when there, we will be fishing with Kona Cowboy again!

Captain Gaige and Captain Ryan were awesome!! They are highly knowledgable about deep sea fishing and go above and beyond to make the experience fun and memorable! We booked a whole day of deep sea fishing while visiting the Big Island. Our son is 9 years old and they were both great with him! He is still talking about his fishing trip 2 weeks after returning home! Needless to say, he had a blast! Even though we didn't catch a Blue Marlin, we did catch 9 mahi mahi-- and had our resort prepare some of it that evening for dinner! Overall, I highly recommend them-- we will definitely book with them when we visit Hawaii again!

Capt Gaige and his First Mate Sean won’t disappoint! Great people, incredible time. Although we didn’t bring in a fish, the experience was fantastic and they did everything they could do except maybe jump in and use themselves as bait! Remember, Deep Sea Fishing isn’t easy.

Hade the best fishing trip. Was my husband’s birthday and Shawn, Gage and Ryan made it one he will not forget. Caught 2 Blue Marlins and 2 Ono. Ryan and Captain Shawn were so calm and patient with our 17 yr old son teaching him how to reeling in his Marlin. And Gage was on point maneuvering the boat making sure they didn’t lose their fish. I would highly recommend this company to anyone looking for a great fishing trip experience! Thanks again guys!

We booked a full day fishing charter with Kona Cowboy to celebrate my birthday and hopefully target my dream Blue Marlin. From the very beginning of the booking process, Captain Shawn was responsive via phone & very honest/realistic about our chances for catching a trophy Blue Marlin. Shawn cannot guarantee such a feat (no one really can) but they do promise to give it their very best effort if the bite is on. Well Captain Shawn kept his word and I ended up landing my prized bucket list 400+ lb Blue Marlin very early in the trip! My wife also landed a beautiful Striped Marlin. We also got to see many groups of Pilot Whales (up close), hundreds of porpoise and also a Pacific Short-nosed Spearfish (striking our lure at the same time as the Striped Marlin but we did not hook the Spearfish). So cool & very rare to see 2 different billfish strike at the same time! Captain Shawn, Ryan & Gage were an incredible team and because of them, I was able to have what I consider the ultimate birthday wish come true. Definitely a phenomenal experience that my wife & I will never forget!! Thank you to the team @ Kona Cowboy!!! Mike & Jodie U.

Captain Shawn and Deckhand Cyan were awesome! Our second time doing a private charter, and he made sure we caught our fish. We caught 2 Ono. They even filleted the fish when we got back and gave us a huge amount to keep us fed through the week. If you are in Kona and want to fish, Kona Cowboy Sportfishing is definitely a must!

Captain and first mate were top notch! Great conversation, excellent experience. We caught some fish even though the elements were not in our favor. We took some ono filets with us. The boat was well maintained with a clean bathroom. We had a great time and recommend this boat.

We had an excellent time fishing with Captain Shawn and his first mate Sawyer! It started off as a slow day and nothing seemed to be biting. However, these two are incredibly knowledgeable about fishing and did everything in their power to make sure we went home with some fish. In the end, my dad and I each caught an Ono and we were able to take some home with us to cook that night! I 100% recommend booking a trip with Kona Cowboy!

The Captain and his hand were awesome, very knowledgeable about the area, not only while fishing but will gladly lead you to what you are wanting to see on the island. The Kona Cowboy boat is seaworthy and very clean. Capt Shawn recommended that we fished for Ono/Wahoo, because the tuna and Marlin were very slow, Sawyer boated our 6 Ono's. Biggest 46# 🤙🤙🤙

Captain Shawn and Sawyer made us feel welcome and were experienced guides. Four from our family went out and everyone was comfortable and the ocean was calm so nobody got sick. That seems to be the norm on this side of the island so you don't get the swales that gives you sea-sickness. We had a good time learning how they rig-up for each of the species and the technique used. They definitely have a passion for fishing and want to make sure their guests have a great fishing experience.

I highly recommend Shawn and his crew, they work amazing together and do a fantastic job! It was a fun day at sea, not many bites but Shawn pulled out every trick to and catch more fish. A bonus while on board we’re seeing the Pilot Whales, Humpback Whales, and Spinner Dolphin.

Shawn is a great person and fisherman. His deck hands, Sawyer and Cyan are knowledgeable and polite. They work quickly and efficiently changing to a new technique or if lures need to be checked or changed out. Shawn is willing to try many different techniques to catch fish, including some of the newer styles including Green stick and kite fishing. Very few Kona captains use these but Shawn is always working to be an even more successful Captain. It seems every day is different in Kona. One day its on fire and the next day even the most successful boats struggle to get one to the boat. Shawn will do everything he can to make the day fun.. We saw humpback whales, pilot whales, porpoise, and dolphins while we were out. We landed mahi mahi and ono and had strikes from spearfish and ahi. This is a great boat with a great crew. They provide some breakfast snacks and do a great job teaching the angler how to fight a fish from the fighting chair. I highly recommend Kona Cowboy for anyone, from very experienced to a first time trip with a family.

If catching fish is your plan i would highly recommend Kona cowboy Shawn was on the hunt from the time we left till we returned .We had 2 full days of catching fish ,the seas were calm and the company was very enjoyable THANK YOU !!!!! Kona Cowboy Bill Hancock

Captain Shawn and his son were the best people. Very knowledgeable and most importantly upbeat and positive the whole time. We weren't able to find the tuna we were hoping for but we had a great time catching Mahi. Captain Shawn had no problem switching gears to make sure we hooked into some great fishing and a great experience. Thanks for taking care of Ross and I. We will be back.

Although it’s off-season, captain Shawn and his mate, Cyan, found several spots where we can find great fishing. Caught 4 Mahi Mahis. Captain and Cyan were punctual, professional, friendly, and very helpful the entire day.

My family and I had a phenomenal time with Bo and Shaun! We could tell right away how much experience these two had. Shaun was an excellent captain, telling us exactly what he was thinking and what his plan was. He was open to do what we wanted and work to our strengths to have the best time. Bo was an excellent deck hand. He was very organized and was on top of everything that was going on on deck. We caught several bluefin and skipjack tuna in the morning and early afternoon. As we were getting back into the harbor we hooked up on a blue marlin. Bo was very helpful with instructions for the person in the chair that was fighting the fish, while Shaun gave instructions to others and managed the boat so we wouldn’t lose the fish. This was an amazing experience for us and we would definitely do it again if we had the chance!!

These guys were awesome, we booked a full day and they made every effort to make sure we had an awesome time! Boat was very clean, well maintained, and equipment was top notch. One person in our party got sick and they were great about doing everything they could do to help ease the pain without letting it ruin the trip. We ended up with 2 blue marlin and an awesome day out on the water! Don’t hesitate book with these guys they know what they’re doing!

What an amazing day to celebrate Jeff’s 50th birthday. We were out with captain Logan and Sawyer. These guys were so good and fast at setting up all the gear. They helped us have a super successful day, Jeff caught a huge close to 500lb marlin. I caught one close to 200lbs, along with some mahi mahi, and ahi tuna. I’d highly recommend the full day, We were able to fish so many amazing spots. Thanks again guy!!🤙🏼

Captain Shawn and sawyer were incredible. They truly know what they are doing and go that extra mile to get you on big fish. You can tell they are really passionate about what they do. We caught two blue marlins. One of which was 350 lbs! Will definitely be back.

A great experience! We certainly enjoyed catching three marlin, wearing our arm out at the same time. But, as a business owner, I appreciate the work that goes into offering the client an enjoyable interaction. It’s the details that make a difference: perfectly tuned and maintained rods and reels, high quality lures, and all the time and money it takes to keep them that way! Recommend this captain and mate to anyone considering fishing in Hawaii.

Fantastic day we had out on the water fishing with Kona Cowboy!!! My wife caught her first blue marlin. Shawn and Bo worked hard to ensure we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. They have skillfully mastered their trade and used multiple techniques to help us land a fish. We even got to enjoy being in the middle of a pod of bottle nose dolphins. Hands down awesome charter, book em!!! Thanks again guys.

Wow! If you’re serious about doing a “big game” fishing experience and enjoy the hunt and patience then you must book with Captain Shawn and his deckhand Bo! Shawn is an excellent fisherman who will fish hard for his clients and is expert skilled. While we didn’t get our trophy Marlin during our day trip we for sure will be back to book with Captain Shawn and his crew at Kona Cowboy next year and the year after that! Captain Shawn- all I need next time is to be able to buy a shirt with your awesome logo to represent y’all in Texas!!

I've done a number of Marlin charters out of Kona, but this was my first with captain Shawn. Wow, he did not disappoint! A friend and I booked a whole day charter and Shawn worked extremely hard to get us on the fish. The first catch of the day was a gorgeous Blue Marlin, followed up by three 100+ lb Yellowfin Tuna. Between the fishing, the birds, the hundreds of dolphins around the boat, and the beautiful setting, our eight hours on the water went by too quickly. I've done a lot of blue water fishing over the years, and this was my best experience ever. Thank you Shawn!!

Had a great day on the water with Captain Shawn and first mate Bo the bite was slow but we still ended with a nice blue marlin. Thanks Shawn for a fun filled day.

Incredible day fishing with Captain Shawn and first mate Bo! My wife got her bucket list dream blue marlin (500 lb est) and my son caught a huge bull mahi. Shawn's knowledge and experience with these giants blew us away. The man is truly a marlin savant. I have fished on many charters from Costa Rica to Alaska, not to mention the mainland US and have never had a captain who knows his business like he does. Believe me, if you REALLY want to catch fish, rest assured that he wants it MORE! We can't wait to come back to Kona and do it again.

Unfortunately the marlin just wouldn’t bite, but we were still able to find a couple nice sized mahi. The captain and crew did an awesome job working hard to put us on fish all day. Would absolutely recommend this charter.

Outstanding Fishing experience. I highly recommend the full day Charter. From the moment I arrived at the boat captain Shawn and his mate Bo made me feel very welcome. Catching a Blue Marlin was a Bucket list item for me since I was a Kid. Shawn is a very experienced Captain with lots of local knowledge. The Kona Cowboy has exceptional fishing gear and they are meticulous in there preparation. If you are looking for a Charter with an experienced team at a very reasonable price look no further than Kona Cowboy and Captain Shawn

Outstanding fishing experience, I highly recommend ! From the moment we arrived at the boat captain Shawn and his crewman Bo made us feel welcome and comfortable. My son and I were visiting Hawaii for the first time with our whole family. We booked a full day to see if we could hook into a Blue Marlin. By the end of the trip we had both caught , tagged and released a blue Marlin of a lifetime ! We returned two days later for a half day of fishing for wahoo . We made great family memories that we will not soon forget. I highly recommend full day charter. Jeff Senior and Junior from Texas

Recently we spent 2 full days with Capt Shawn on the Kona Cowboy. I have fished the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and Capt Shawn is one of the best I’ve met. He knows fishing and if you want to fish he’s the man. In our time with him we caught 9 of 10 Wahoo , caught and released 1 Blue Marlin, had 2 more Blues spit the hook and finally tagged and released the rarest billfish of all, the Shortnose Spearfish. Fish On Captain Shawn!

This was a trip of a lifetime! No Marlin or Tuna for me unfortunately but we slayed the Ohno/Wahoo the whole time we tried. Captain Shawn was very friendly and helpful! Deckhand Bo was a blast yo hang with and worked his tail off. I would highly recommend the Kona Cowboy boat and crew for anyone who wants to catch lots of fish! Maholo gentlemen 🤙!

Amazing day on the water with Captain Shawn and Cy! Captain Shawn worked extremely hard to put us on fish and we caught our first ever Blue Marlin! We were so impressed with Captain Shawn’s passion for and knowledge of his craft. The boat was very comfortable and well equipped for a perfect day on the water. We also greatly enjoyed our conversations with Captain Shawn and Cy and really appreciated all the tips for our stay on the big island. Highly recommend Kona Cowboy for anyone who wants to catch fish and have a great time doing it!

If you're looking for a first class serious fisherman, look no further than the Kona Cowboy! Shawn is an extremely knowledgeable, hardworking guide. Very friendly and personable, but ALL business when you raise a fish. Just what you want when fishing for a marlin! FIVE STAR all the way! Quality tackle and a comfortable boat for couples or small families (4 or less). Will definitely book another day with Kona Cowboy on our next trip to the Big Island. Looking forward to it!

A Great trip with a great captain and deck hand. Very friendly and fun individuals. They stayed out extra hours for us to get more fish. Highly recommend.

Awesome experience, caught some nice fish and had a great time. Guides are friendly and knowledgeable.

This was a bucket list item for me. Had a blast!! We caught 4 good sized blue wahoo. Took home some of our catch. Captain Shawn is super nice and knowledgeable. Plenty of sunshine and able to rest in between bites.