Topshape Kona Sports Fishing

July 13, 2026

I was honored to host a very, very good friend and his 12-year-old grandson from Maui for a half day fishing trip.

The way Derek described, Lennox, his grandson was a fisherman but had never been on a boat. So, Derek got hold of me and we set up a day on the water.

John and I decided we would head to VV buoy and catch some Aku, since the report was that there was a good school there. When we got to the buoy, sure enough the school was there and
very active, full of 4-5blers. John got the light tackle out and we slow trolled and got hit consistently as long I was over the school. Great fun and I think I tired both Papa and grandson out.

After about an hour, we decided to go troll for something big. I headed out to the 1400 fathom zone as I heard there were some Ahi at that depth. Derek and I were busy talking about our
days as Kihei Little League board members. Oh, the stories I could tell you. In about 30 minutes I heard John yell, “there she is”! I turned around and saw one of the biggest explosions I have seen I years. Remember I didn’t get to see the bite very often as I am looking forward 95% of the time.

The sea state was flat glass; this explosion was awesome. Reel went off and the battle was on.

Lennox got in the chair, locked in, and we started to back down. We did not know if it was an Ahi or marlin. Soon we figured it was a big Ahi as it stayed down. Lennox never gave up but at
one point he got a little frighten as the Ahi had 2 serious runs that lifted him out of the frighting chair. Now remember, this was Lennox first and biggest fish of his life, except for the small aku he caught half hour before.

Got to give Lennox, he never gave up and landed a 147.5 lb. ahi in about 29 minutes. What an experience and he fought the ahi like he does this all the time. John was great on how he
helped and coached Lennox during the fight.

Since this was so special we brought the ahi to the scales to get a true weight and pictures. As you can see Lennox smile was mile wide. He and his Papa earned the coveted Topshape team hat.

I love seeing Kids get a forever memory on Topshape. Magical! 🎣

-Captain Al