The Fishing Report

Fishing seasons & conditions by region

Kawakawa Euthynnus affinis

Kawakawa Size, Range & Diet

Typical size	18–28 in, 5–15 lb
Maximum	up to about 3 ft 3 in and 31 lb
Lifespan	Up to about 6 years
Range	Warm Indo-Pacific waters; in US waters it is a Hawaii fish, found around all the main islands.
Habitat	Nearshore pelagic from the surface down to about 650 ft, often hugging reef drop-offs, ledges and current lines rather than open blue water.
Diet	Small schooling baitfish, squid and crustaceans — match a small chrome jig or feather to the bait ball.

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 Kawakawa

Wavy/scribbled dark bars on the back ABOVE the lateral line, not extending below it
A few (usually 2-5) small dark spots low on the body between pectoral and pelvic fins
Scaleless except for the corselet and along the lateral line
Stout, football-shaped tuna body; finlets behind dorsal and anal fins
Belly silvery and unmarked (no horizontal stripes)

Tell it apart: Broken wavy markings confined to the UPPER back, plus a few dark spots low between the pectoral and pelvic fins, distinguish Kawakawa from Aku, which has clean horizontal stripes on the LOWER belly and a plain back.

Easily confused with: Aku (Skipjack Tuna)

Side by side: Kawakawa vs Aku (Skipjack Tuna)

How to Catch Kawakawa

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Prime May-August when bait schools thicken; cast or troll small chrome lures and metal jigs into surface boils, or run skirts along nearshore current lines.GearChrome casting jigs Small trolling skirts Fluorocarbon leader

When & Where Kawakawa 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

Kawakawa 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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