Updated October 15, 2026

    Kaneohe Bay Flats

    creek in Hawaii

    Large, protected flats with sandbars and patch reef—excellent for sight-fishing at low tide and learning flats tactics.

    BonefishMilkfishTrevallies
    This week's reportAccess & shops

    Conditions right now

    No USGS gauge is linked to this water yet, so we can't chart flows.

    Weather now
    76°F
    Light Drizzle, wind 12 mph NE
    Bite report · week of Oct 4

    Clear skies

    1. 01Clear skies, warm temperatures, and moderate northeast winds are providing ideal fishing conditions.
    2. 02Fall marks the potential for the Palolo worm hatch, a significant feeding event.
    3. 03Shrimp and crab imitations are consistent producers due to year-round abundance.
    4. 04Focus on He'eia Kea Harbor flats, Kualoa Regional Park flats, and Kaneohe Sandbar on incoming tides.
    5. 05Employ a 'laying traps' casting approach, placing flies over 10 feet ahead of spooky bonefish.

    Past reports week by week

    11 weeks

    What to tie on

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

    nymph

    Bonefish Scampi

    Shrimp
    #4#6

    Specifically designed to imitate shrimp, a key food source for bonefish on shallow sandy flats, making it a crucial pattern for Kaneohe Bay.

    Buy at Amazon
    wet fly

    Palolo Worm

    Polychaete worm
    #4#6

    The fall season is a prime time for the Palolo worm hatch, triggering aggressive feeding from bonefish and other flats species.

    Buy at Saltwater Edge
    nymph

    EP Shrimp

    Shrimp
    #2#4#6

    Shrimp are a consistent and abundant food source year-round on the flats of Kaneohe Bay, making this a reliable pattern for all target species.

    Buy at Amazon
    dry

    Merkin Crab

    #14#16

    Crabs are a primary forage for bonefish and trevallies on tropical flats. This imitation is effective for tailing fish in the shallow waters.

    nymph

    Gotcha

    Shrimp
    #4#6#8

    A versatile shrimp imitation that is effective year-round on tropical flats, making it a staple for bonefish and trevallies in Kaneohe Bay.

    Buy at Amazon
    nymph

    Crazy Charlie

    Shrimp/crab
    #4#6#8

    This classic shrimp/crab pattern is a year-round producer on the shallow flats, attracting bonefish, milkfish, and trevallies.

    Buy at Amazon
    streamer

    Clouser Minnow (Saltwater)

    Minnow/shrimp
    #1/0#2/0#3/0

    A highly versatile baitfish imitation that is effective year-round for predatory species like trevallies and milkfish, as well as opportunistic bonefish.

    Buy at Amazon
    dry

    Deceiver

    #14#16

    This general baitfish pattern is excellent for attracting predatory species such as trevallies and milkfish that feed on smaller fish in the flats.

    Where to fish and who to ask

    Hawaii on the Fly · OahuAloha Fishing Hawaii · HonoluluFly Fishing Hawaii · HonoluluNervous Water Fly Fishers · Honolulu1Coconut Island (Moku o Lo'e)2He'eia Fishpond3Kaneohe Sandbar (Ahu o Laka)
    AccessFly shopGuide trips
    1

    Coconut Island (Moku o Lo'e)

    Popular launch point for guided trips and access to surrounding flats.

    21.429°N 157.804°WDirections
    2

    He'eia Fishpond

    Historic fishpond and adjacent flats; good access and steady bonefish/milkfish action.

    21.426°N 157.802°WDirections
    3

    Kaneohe Sandbar (Ahu o Laka)

    Large sandbar in the middle of the bay that concentrates fish at low tide.

    21.448°N 157.806°WDirections

    Fly shops within 40 miles

    10mi

    Hawaii on the Fly

    Oahu, HIGuide trips
    10mi

    Aloha Fishing Hawaii

    Honolulu, HIGuide trips
    10mi

    Fly Fishing Hawaii

    Honolulu, HIGuide trips
    10mi

    Nervous Water Fly Fishers

    Honolulu, HIGuide trips

    Get Kaneohe Bay Flats reports by email

    Save this water and we'll email you a weekly summary of conditions, hatches and what's working.

    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

    Gear & tipsHow to Pick the Right Fly Rod Weight for Any Situation
    Gear & tips

    How to Pick the Right Fly Rod Weight for Any Situation

    Master fly rod weight selection with expert guidance on matching rod power to fish species, water conditions, and fishing techniques for optimal performance.

    Gear & tipsFly Line Types GuideWF, DT, Running & Shooting Heads
    Gear & tips

    Fly Line Types Guide: WF, DT, Running & Shooting Heads

    Master fly line selection with our comprehensive guide to weight forward, double taper, running lines, and shooting heads for every fishing situation.

    Gear & tipsFly Fishing the Florida KeysTarpon, Permit & Bonefish
    Gear & tips

    Fly Fishing the Florida Keys: Tarpon, Permit & Bonefish

    Master the Grand Slam waters of the Florida Keys with expert tactics for sight-fishing tarpon, permit, and bonefish on pristine flats.

    Quick answers

    Common questions about Kaneohe Bay Flats.

    What flies work best on Kaneohe Bay Flats?

    Our top scored fly patterns for Kaneohe Bay Flats right now are Palolo Worm (80% confidence), EP Shrimp (80% confidence), Merkin Crab (80% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.

    What fish species are in Kaneohe Bay Flats?

    Kaneohe Bay Flats holds Bonefish, Milkfish, Trevallies. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.

    Is Kaneohe Bay Flats fishing well right now?

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