As if wrestling an Ulua fish isn’t back-breaking work enough, for Jon Jon Tabon – a PENN Fleet Captain in Maui – the ultimate challenge comes from catching these beasts from the shore. “Smaller trevally are called Papio and only fish over 10 pounds are really called Ulua” he explains but as far as he’s concerned, there’s no time for Papio. Captain Jon Jon only has his eyes set on trophy Ulua, which can sometimes exceed 100 pounds.

The temptation of tackling this challenge draws hundreds of anglers to the beaches and rocky cliffs of the Hawaiian coast every year. With the ability to catch Ulua on the coast of every Hawaiian Island, shore fishing has quickly become a subculture of the angling community. “The fish are a big draw,” Tabon says, “But a lot of the appeal is the scene.”

Tabon recalls dozens of anglers joining their family and friends, camping in Ulua hotspots, and fishing all night long just to get a glimpse of these brutes. “Warm campfires, tents, island music, strong fights, and the sound of wind and crashing waves fills the air” Tabon says. For many families on the island, the skill and traditions of shore fishing is something to be passed down for generations.

For more bold and adventurous anglers like those that make up the PENN fleet, the slippery and rocky cliffs are always calling – often much too dangerous to bring the family. “Sheer cliffs and sharp lava rocks are not too inviting” Tabon notes. The steep terrain does bring Ulua close to shore and invites only the hardcore anglers to try their luck at hanging on.

Saying you’re good at fishing is one thing but when it comes to competitive fishing in Maui, PENN Fleet Team Angler Kurt Chong Kee of Maui has a proven track record and is tough to beat. “I’m a third-generation Ulua angler,” Kee explains, following in the footsteps of his grandfather and father before him. “My uncle took me under his wing and took my game to the peak.” 

Since then, Kee has secured multiple tournament wins and reeled in countless fish weighing over 100 pounds. He even holds the Hawaiian record. “I eat, sleep, and sh*t Ulua fishing!” he excitedly explains. 

The community is always promoting series of shore-fishing tournaments and long-casting competitions but for those not exactly ready to play with the big boys and just starting out, Captain Tabon says local tackle shops and shore-fishing clubs are a good place to learn. Joining other anglers on the surf is also a great way to see Ulua fishing in action and get your hands dirty. 

Kee knows the best action is at night when the GTs traverse the shallow waters hunting for food. “When the moon rises, we put out our rigs,” he says. Sharpies will normally fish multiple rods, and popular spots are often crowded with lines. Battling an Ulua through a maze of lines and a rocky obstacle course is all part of the challenge.

In sandy areas, Kee says the tactic is to let the fish run and wear itself out, then work it to the beach. Rocky spots present an almost impossible challenge. Kee says Ulua live in caves, which become their first refuge when hooked. “I clamp down and don’t give it an inch,” he says. Then Kee laughs, “If the fish runs into another person’s line, it’s total chaos.”  

It is this exact chaos of fighting Ulua from shore that attracts new anglers to big-game fishing and keeps experienced anglers hooked for life. Today Jon Jon Tabon is a full-time kayak fishing guide and Kurtis Chong Kee is a top bluewater angler. But the community of shore anglers and the challenge of beating one of the toughest fish from land always beckons them back to the beach.  

“I spent many years fishing for Ulua from the shore,” Tabon says. From catching bait to camping on the beach to battling the toughest fish in the sea, Ulua put trophy fish within reach of any angler. Kee has never lost the flame, “I’ve been falling in love with ulua fishing since I could hold a fishing pole.” 

Kee says shore anglers target Ulua in two places: sandy beaches and rocky cliffs. “In sandy areas, people cast or paddle out baits with a kayak,” he notes. Recently, anglers have been using drones to drop baits far off the beach. The bait is fished from a large float to keep it suspended off the bottom.

In rocky areas Kee uses a slider rig. First, he casts out a 12-ounce sinker that catches in the rocks. Then, he slides a lead line with the hook and bait down the mainline. When a big trevally strikes, the sinker breaks free and Kee fights the fish to shore.

To beat one of the toughest sportfish, PENN specifically developed and launched the Battalion™ II Surf Ulua Rod. This rod features tough but sensitive Graphite Composite Blanks and Caxin Indestructible Guides that can withstand relentless battle. A metal butt allows anglers to jam the rod into rocks without damage. “I’ve never broken one of the blanks,” Kee says. The champion can cast a 12-ounce sinker 180 yards.

Kee also chooses to match the Ulua rod with a PENN reel. On the beach he uses a PENN Squall® Lever Drag 2 Speed in a size 50 for maximum line capacity and cranking power. When he’s fishing from the rocks, he goes with a US Senator® model 113W, a classic 4/0 size, souped up for long casts and burly fights. Kee spools the reels with 60-pound Berkley Big Game line.