Updated October 15, 2026

    Hanalei River & Bay

    river in Hawaii

    Hanalei's broad river mouth and adjacent bay create varied structure for sight-fishing and topwater work.

    BonefishMilkfish
    This week's reportAccess & shops
    Bite report · week of Oct 4

    Tailing bonefish are active on shallow sandy flats

    1. 01Tailing bonefish are active on shallow sandy flats.
    2. 02Milkfish are present and may be receptive to worm or shrimp imitations.
    3. 03Ideal conditions for sight fishing during daylight hours.
    4. 04Crab and shrimp patterns are highly effective for various flats species.

    Past reports week by week

    10 weeks

    What to tie on

    Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.

    wet fly

    Palolo Worm

    Polychaete worm
    #4#6

    Palolo worm hatch events occur in the fall, making this a prime pattern for milkfish and other opportunistic feeders.

    Buy at Saltwater Edge
    nymph

    EP Shrimp

    Shrimp
    #2#4#6

    Shrimp are a year-round food source inshore and on flats, effective for both bonefish and milkfish.

    Buy at Amazon
    nymph

    Bonefish Scampi

    Shrimp
    #4#6

    A highly effective shrimp imitation for bonefish on shallow sandy flats, which is consistent year-round.

    Buy at Amazon
    nymph

    Crazy Charlie

    Shrimp/crab
    #4#6#8

    A versatile shrimp and crab imitation, ideal for bonefish and milkfish on tropical flats year-round.

    Buy at Amazon
    dry

    Merkin Crab

    #14#16

    Crabs are a consistent food source on tropical flats, and this imitation is effective for tailing bonefish. Fall is generally good for flats fishing in Hawaii.

    nymph

    Gotcha

    Shrimp
    #4#6#8

    A classic shrimp imitation that is effective year-round on tropical flats for bonefish.

    Buy at Amazon

    Where to fish and who to ask

    Hooked On Kauai · Kauai1Hanalei Pier2Hanalei River Mouth3Tunnels / Makua Beach Access
    AccessFly shopGuide trips
    1

    Hanalei Pier

    Classic launch and sight-fishing area along the bay; excellent for morning flats sessions.

    22.203°N 159.506°WDirections
    2

    Hanalei River Mouth

    Where freshwater meets the ocean—good for feeding concentrates and sight-fishing.

    22.204°N 159.504°WDirections
    3

    Tunnels / Makua Beach Access

    Offshore reef edge and nearby flats hold larger trevally and provide opportunities for more tactical presentations.

    22.238°N 159.550°WDirections

    Fly shops within 40 miles

    18mi

    Hooked On Kauai

    Kauai, HIGuide trips

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    Hawaii season by season

    What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.

    Mar – MaySpringRead the guideJun – AugSummerRead the guideSep – NovFallRead the guideDec – FebWinterRead the guide

    Read before you go

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    Quick answers

    Common questions about Hanalei River & Bay.

    What flies work best on Hanalei River & Bay?

    Our top scored fly patterns for Hanalei River & Bay right now are Palolo Worm (80% confidence), Merkin Crab (80% confidence), Crazy Charlie (80% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.

    What fish species are in Hanalei River & Bay?

    Hanalei River & Bay holds Bonefish, Milkfish. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.

    Is Hanalei River & Bay fishing well right now?

    We publish a fresh bite report for Hanalei River & Bay each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.