The Captain
Captain John Bagwell has more than 50 years of experience, with 20+ of those on the Big Island of Hawaii. He captains and owns the 45' Viking, the Silky which features: an air-conditioned cabin, full galley, master bedroom, bunk room, bathroom with shower, full kitchen, tuna tower with seating, a full bow, and one of the best crews on the Island. Captain JB loves fishing the deep blue of the Pacific Ocean here on the beautiful Kona Coast.
"I have been fishing since 1970, Starting in Daytona Beach, and traveled many places since. Daytona was just the start of what has become my life's passion of big game fishing. It took me to North Carolina in the early 70's, were I was able to fish with some true legends of the sport. Men like: Buddy Cannady, Omi Tillett, Buddy Davis, Sam Stokes, and Sonny Briggs plus others who also dominated the sportfishing game. These were some of the greatest billfishing experiences in my life.
Since then I have fished the entire East Coast, the Bahamas, Yucatan Mexico, Isla Mujeres, and now Hawaii. Kona has been my home since 1998 and I can say this is one of the premiere Blue Marlin fisheries in the world. The weather is always great and fishing seems to have an unparalleled season with Marlin and Tuna being caught year round."
In the last 10 years Captain Bagwell has won the 2013 Skins Marlin Derby Ahi division with a 198 lb. Ahi and also won the 2013 International Billfishing Tournament with a 588 lb. Blue Marlin.
Most recently he also took a trip to Costa Rica, Summer 2018, and caught 28 Blue Marlin in one day.
"The Secret to our success is in sustainability."
One thing which sets us apart in Kona is the Silky was the 1st 100% tag and release juvenile billfish charter operating in Honokohau Harbor.
Captain John Bagwell has always been a fisherman, and it is something that he wakes up excited for. The boat he captains is now a 45' Viking, but that smile that is on his face, every, single, morning when he heads out fishing, is exactly the same.