Marlin Fishing on the Kona Coast

Fish on one of the Finest Sportfishing Boats ever built, the 42′ Merritt HUNTRESS!

The 3 large mountains of the Big Island combine to create an enormous lee area of flat water to chase giant Blue Marlin, Yellowfin Tuna and the other Pelagic species that migrate to Kona throughout the year!

Fishing the Kona Coast since 1973, the HUNTRESS has been involved in some of the most exciting moments in Sportfishing history. Captained by Steve Epstein, 35 year veteran fishing in Kona, the HUNTRESS, formerly BLACK BART, still continues to be among the top marlin boats in Kona. This is the Boat that caught the famous # 1,656 blue marlin, with her former owner Bart Miller in 1984.
“ The inspiration for the 43’ Merritt was the 42’ HOPALONG, built for Fletch Creamer and Capt. Buddy Landers in 1965. At hull # 13, it was the longest boat Buddy Merritt had built at the time. The boat went on to become the BLACK BART, and today is called HUNTRESS.”

Marlin Magazine November, 1999