LAHAINA – Trying to come up with the Top Lahaina Harbor Charter Sportfishing boat statistics for billfish involves several variables. Just looking at total numbers doesn’t reflect all the variables in the final rankings.

The total billfish numbers overall (347) were about average. Obviously, everyone looks at the number of blue marlin caught and total weight as an indicator of the top ranking.

The blue marlin numbers totaled 271 (102 weighed and 169 released). Ninety-five percent of the blue marlin weighed or released were between 50 and 250 pounds.

The striped marlin numbers were below average. It was the same for the spearfish. The majority of the spearfish were “guesstimated,” so their total weight numbers are ballpark and lower ranked.

Released billfish were noted as a total number (191), but all weights were “guesstimations,” and you know how fishermen are. These numbers do reflect into the ranking, since the top boats released more billfish than the others and should get due credit.

The final statistics are my own and are open to opinion and interpretation.

Now, the rankings for the Top Lahaina Harbor Charter Sportfishing boats

The 32-foot Blackfin Action captured the top Lahaina Harbor Charter Sportfishing boat title among the 12 boats that caught a billfish in 2019. Action was also Top Boat in 2017.

It weighed seven blue marlin, fifth most, totaling 1,371.0 pounds, the fourth highest total weight. It weighed the largest blue marlin of the year at 728.0 pounds. Action also released 24 blue marlin, tied for most released, with an estimated total weight of 4,765 pounds, the highest total release weight. This gave the boat 31 blue marlin captured, second among the fleet, totaling 6,136.0 pounds, the highest total capture weight.

The Action weighed one striped marlin at 105.3 pounds. This was the largest striped marlin of the year. It released another, estimated at 50 pounds, giving them a total of two fish captured totaling 155.3 pounds.

The boat weighed two spearfish totaling 60 pounds. They also released another five, the most released, with an estimated total weight of 110 pounds, the highest total estimated weight. This gave them a total of seven spearfish captured, the most captured, with a total capture weight of 170 pounds, the third highest total capture weight.

This gave the Action a total of 40 billfish captured, tied for second most, for a grand total of 6,461.3 pounds, the highest total capture weight.

Taking second place for charter boats was the 41-Hatteras Hinatea. It weighed ten blue marlin, third most, totaling 1,365.0 pounds, the fifth highest total weight.

Hinatea also released 24 blue marlin, tied for most released, with an estimated total weight of 3,500 pounds, the second highest total release weight.

This gave the boat 34 blue marlin captured, most captured among the fleet, totaling 4,865.0 pounds, the third highest total capture weight.

The Hinatea weighed two striped marlin totaling 134 pounds. It also released another, estimated at 50 pounds. It weighed four spearfish, third most, totaling 120 pounds, the third highest total weight. The boat released another two spearfish, third most, with an estimated total weight of 40 pounds. This gave them a total of six spearfish captured, tied for second most, with an estimated total capture weight of 160 pounds, the fourth highest estimated weight.

This gave Hinatea a total of 43 billfish captured, most captured among the fleet, for a grand total of 5,209.0 pounds, the third highest total capture weight.

The third place charter boat was the 35 Bertram Die Hard 2. It weighed nine blue marlin, fourth most, totaling 2,036.4 pounds, the second highest total weight.

Die Hard 2 also released 19 blue marlin, second most, with an estimated total weight of 3,015 pounds, the third highest total release weight. This gave the boat 28 billfsh captured, fourth most, totaling 5,051.4 pounds, the second highest total capture weight.

The boat weighed five spearfish, second most, totaling 154.8 pounds, the second highest total weight. It also released another estimated at 25 pounds.

This gave them a total of six spearfish captured, tied for second most, with an estimated total weight of 179.8 pounds, the second highest total capture weight.

This gave the Die Hard 2 a total of 34 billfish captured, third most, for a grand total of 5,231.2 pounds, the second highest total capture weight.