Late October -November Fishing For Bonefish in Hawaii
/By Makani Christensen
October 25, 2026
October and November are my favorite months to chase bonefish in Hawaii. Giant bonefish are roaming the flats, and most are hungry.
With spawning season only a couple of months away, bonefish have begun consolidating into larger schools and concentrating in specific areas of the bay. Some flats are completely empty, while others are loaded with fish. The challenge is knowing where to find them.
These schools are constantly moving. A flat that holds no fish today could be loaded with them a few days later. Bonefish also feed at night, which adds another element to their unpredictable movements.
Today, we encountered both large and small bonefish, including a few giants that appeared to weigh close to 15 pounds. Unfortunately, the biggest fish kept their distance from the boat. We made several attempts but couldn’t connect with one of those monsters. It’s only a matter of time.
The fly featured in the video is the Ghetto Super Fly. Each of us has developed a signature fly specifically for chasing Hawaiian bonefish. Elvis fishes his Kurupt Hawaiian, Joe uses his Kaneohe Bay Creeper, and Makani fishes the Ghetto Super Fly. Each pattern reflects our individual experience and approach to fishing Hawaii’s challenging flats.
We also spent the day fishing three different Hawaiian bonefish fly rods, each designed to complement a particular casting style.
The Joe Marks is a fast-action 8-weight, while the Kurupt Hawaiian, designed by Elvis, features a medium-fast action. The Makani Christensen O’io Special is a super-fast-action 8-weight.
Each rod offers a different feel and performance characteristic, giving anglers options based on their casting preferences and fishing techniques.
Whether you’re casting to cruising giants or targeting schools of hungry bonefish, having the right fly, rod, and local knowledge can make all the difference.
That’s what makes chasing Hawaiian bonefish so rewarding. Conditions change, fish move, and every day presents a new challenge. But somewhere out there, a 15-pound bonefish is waiting for the right presentation.
