The Fishing Report

Fishing seasons & conditions by region

Bluefin Trevally (Omilu) Caranx melampygus

Bluefin Trevally (Omilu) Size, Range & Diet

Typical size	14–24 in, 2–10 lb
Maximum	up to about 46 in and 95 lb
Range	Indo-Pacific reefs; in US waters throughout the main Hawaiian Islands and out along the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.
Habitat	Shallow reef flats, rocky shorelines, channels, ledges and offshore pinnacles — mostly inside 100 ft where current pins bait against structure.
Diet	Small reef fish, juvenile goatfish, crabs and squid ambushed along the reef.

Sizes are typical rod-and-reel and documented maximum figures, not size limits — see the regulations links below for the rules where you fish.

How to Identify a Bluefin Trevally (Omilu)

Electric blue to blue-green fins (second dorsal, anal, and tail)
Numerous small black and blue spots scattered over the upper body and head
Silvery body with a bluish sheen
Hard bony scutes along the rear lateral line near the tail
Forked tail; head profile sloping, less steep than Ulua

Tell it apart: Bright blue fins plus fine black-and-blue speckling across the back instantly mark Omilu, versus the plain grey, steep-headed Ulua.

Easily confused with: Ulua (Giant Trevally), Papio (Juvenile Trevally)

Side by side: Bluefin Trevally (Omilu) vs Ulua (Giant Trevally)

How to Catch Bluefin Trevally (Omilu)

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Best November-December but available year-round; whip and cast small poppers, jigs and lead-head grubs over reef edges and shallow rocky shorelines.GearCasting poppers Lead-head grubs Medium spinning rod

When & Where Bluefin Trevally (Omilu) Are in Season

Peak Good Fair Slow

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Hawaiian Islands Inshore
Hawaiian Islands Nearshore

Bluefin Trevally (Omilu) Regulations

HawaiiHawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR)NOAA Fisheries Pacific Islands Regional Office (in coordination with the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council)WPFMC

Always check local regulations — seasons, size, and bag limits vary by state and species, and change year to year. When in doubt, release.

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