Species guide · Hawaii
Giant trevally fishing in Hawaii
Caranx ignobilis, a nearshore species also called ulua, white ulua and ulua aukea. Listed for the Hawaii region. Shoulder season, about 31 more weeks.
Season now
Shoulder seasonSeason by month
From the Waterlands saltwater species research: when the fish are present and biting, not whether retention is open.
Hawaii
Shoulder season, about 31 more weeks- Jan: Shoulder season
- Feb: Shoulder season
- Mar: Shoulder season
- Apr: Shoulder season
- May: Peak season
- Jun: Peak season
- Jul: Peak season
- Aug: Shoulder season
- Sep: Shoulder season
- Oct: Shoulder season
- Nov: Shoulder season
- Dec: Shoulder season
Peak: May to Jul. In season (shoulder or peak): all year.
Research notes, Hawaii region
Ulua and papio support the most popular recreational fishery in the state (DAR). Fish stay in small home ranges in winter and travel up to 38 km along the coast during the summer spawning season, spawning February-September with a peak May-July just before full moons. Researchers have recommended protecting that peak. Regulatory: DAR sets minimum size and bag limits for ulua and papio; check current rules.
Seasons and limits in these notes are background. The regulations below and the regulator’s own page govern.
Where it's scoring now · 0
Not scored in this forecast: Alenuihaha Channel, Big Island Leeward Waters, Big Island Southeast Waters, Big Island Windward Waters, Chuuk Coastal Waters, Kaiwi Channel, Kauai Channel, Kauai Leeward Waters, Kauai Northwest Waters, Kauai Windward Waters, Kosrae Coastal Waters, Maalaea Bay, Majuro Coastal Waters, Maui County Leeward Waters, Maui County Windward Waters, Oahu Leeward Waters, Oahu Windward Waters, Pailolo Channel, Pohnpei Coastal Waters and Waters out to 40 Nautical Miles.
How and where it feeds
- Water temperature
- Feeds from 70°F to 88°F, best between 74°F and 82°F.
- Water depth
- 3 to 200 ft of water.
- Structure
- Point, ledge, reef, channel, jetty, beach and estuary, in that order of preference.
- Tide and current
- Prefers incoming tide and high tide, with moderate current.Shore anglers generally favor rising and high tides that push water and bait over ledges and reef flats. This rests on traditional practice and angler reports, not published studies.
- Light
- Bites best around dawn and dusk; feeds at night too.
- Pressure
- Little response to pressure changes.
- Wind and sea limits
- 20 kt of wind and 5 ft of sea. The Waterlands engine scores hours down as conditions pass them.
Tackle and technique
Ulua hunt reef edges, rocky points, harbor mouths and sand channels from the shoreline out to deep ledges. Shore anglers slide an eel, tako or crab down a heavy anchored line and fish through the night, while casters throw poppers and plugs over reef edges at dawn and dusk. The first run heads for the rocks, so use heavy line and a tight drag.
- Methods
- slide-bait fishing, whipping (casting plugs), shore casting, trolling, jigging
- Lures
- poppers, stickbaits, swimming plugs, metal jigs
- Bait
- eel (puhi), octopus (tako), crab, live reef fish, squid
Regulations
Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Aquatic Resources. Sync unavailable, last verified Sep 13, 2026.
No reviewed giant trevally rule for Hawaii is on file yet. Check with DLNR DAR before you keep one.