Returning to Kona this summer, the 61st Hawaii Island Billfish Tournament (HIBT) is set for August 5 through 13, 2023 with five days of fishing set for Monday August 7 through Friday, August 11. Teams and anglers from around the world are expected to return to Kona to experience the tradition of marlin fishing aboard some of Kona’s top charter boats, all with the chance of winning the HIBT.
Henry Chee Award
Built on prestige, trophies and strict International Game Fish Association rules for big game fish world records, HIBT established the Henry Chee Award in 1965 to recognize the charter boat captain accumulating the greatest number of billfish points during the tournament.
Captain Chee was a pioneer marlin captain. His vessel Malia, was known as the “Grey Ghost of the Kona Coast”. Throughout his lifetime, Captain Chee set an unprecedented number of game fish catch records which helped make his favorite fishing grounds, the Kona Coast, world famous. He continues to live on in the memories and legends of the charter fleet who now compete for this trophy named in his honor.
HIBT is proud of all its Henry Chee Award recipients and wish all participating captains and crew the best as they compete at this year’s Tournament.
Click here to download the Henry Chee Award list of recipients.
The 61st HIBT is set for August 5 through 13, 2023 with five days of fishing set for Monday August 7 through Friday, August 11.
New Four Flag Tournament Added
Be a part of this great Kona fishing tradition as it returns in 2023. Help make new history and register for the light tackle tournament.
Tournament officials are launching a new Four Flag Tournament set for Wednesday, August 2 through Friday, August 4, 2023. The new HIBT Four Flag Tournament is a light tackle, 30 lb test line, fishing tournament focusing on four species of marlin, ahi, mahi mahi and ono. Tournament participants are encouraged to select HIBT charter boats or their own local vessels. Local Hawaii game fishing clubs are all invited to participate.
For more information or to register for the new HIBT Four Flag Tournament, email hibt@hawaii.rr.com.
For more information on the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament, including complete team registration forms, IGFA world-record fishing rules and a look at previous tournament winners, log onto www.hibtfishing.com.