August 2026

Aloha Taggers,

Happy August. We have continued to have a windy summer - but the juvenile bait fish are in thick, which is a great sign for the larger fish we target.

Survey Results - and random raffle winner: Clayton York will receive a set of 10 tags on us! Mahalo to everyone who took the time to answer so far. The survey will remain open so feel free to give us your input through there or via email.

What We heard: Taggers want to learn more about fish seasons, movement, growth, and how tides and moon phases affect catches. We will work to incorporate this feedback into upcoming newsletters and educational material to share these results with our taggers.

Share your Feedback - Click here

Tag Kits and Supplies:

Some of our taggers during interviews mentioned some difficulty with some of the tagging materials, specifically the applicators dulling or bending. If you ever have issues with your tagging supplies (applicators, measuring tape, etc.) please don’t hesitate to reach out to us, we will take care of you.

We’re also continuing to look for the best ways to communicate the data back to our taggers, promote the project, and to improve the project as a whole. If you have any suggestions or input you’d be willing to share with us, or if you have time to sit down and talk story, please reach out at pacificfisheries@gmail.com.

Recaptures:

We had two recoveries in July, one on the Big Island and one on Oahu.

Omilu - A14383 was recaptured by Derek Uyehara, 17, in Waimea Bay. The Omilu was originally tagged by Kevin Mita, on October 13, 2025 and was at liberty for 290 days and grew 3.25” and was recovered 7 miles from where it was originally tagged. Great going Kevin and Derek on this successful release and recapture!

Top Original Omilu tagged by Kevin Mita and below the recapture and recoveries.

The second fish recovered was A10463 by Kalani Bertilacci off of South Point. The fish was originally tagged by Kahana Itozaki and we are still awaiting details on original tagged date.

Thank you and great going by Kalani re-releasing this beautiful fish. Last year - we had one Ulua that was tagged, released, recaptured, released and recaptured all in the same year.

2026 Recognition and Tag It Tournament

July (Fish Scale / Set of 10 tags / PIFG Special Recognition Item)

Clean Sweep (one of each species) Fish Scale No winner this month.
Darren Ishikawa came closest and had an Omilu, Oio, and White Papio.
Random Raffle 10 tags: Eugen Jong
Keiki tagger PIFG Special Recognition: Kanalulai Bernabe

August (set of 3 Promar Ahi Jigs / set of 10 tags / PIFG Tag It Hat)

Random Raffle
Best tagged fish photo
Most omilu one day

September (Penn Battle Reel / set of 10 tags / PIFG Tag It Hat)

Random Raffle
Most oio and omilu tagged in the month
Kaku Random raffle

October (Coast Lantern / set of 10 tags / Lawaia Shirt)

Random Raffle
Most oio tagged in one day
Moi Random raffle

November (Coast Lantern / set of 10 tags / Lawaia Shirt)

Random Raffle
Kaku random raffle
Best papio photo

December (combined Year Tagged Fish) Prizes TBD

Grand slam (1 Moi, 1 Ulua, 1 Papio, 1 Oio, 1 Kaku)
Largest Ulua (Shore)
Largest Ulua (all)
Most Oio tagged
Most Kaku tagged
Most Moi tagged
Most Papio tagged
Most total fish tagged
Most fish tagged in one day
Best tagged fish photo (crowd favorite)
Highest new tagger in 2026

*Recognition will be announced the following month, all data must be submitted timely to be recognized. All ties and disposition will be awarded to the earliest submitter.