South Maui Flats (Kihei/Wailea)
creek in Hawaii
Warm, shallow flats with multiple access points from Kihei and Wailea; great for both sight and blind-strike fly techniques.
Conditions right now
No USGS gauge is linked to this water yet, so we can't chart flows.
Clear and mild conditions at 76°F with light winds
- 01Clear and mild conditions at 76°F with light winds.
- 02Active fall Palolo Worm hatch underway, a key seasonal feeding opportunity.
- 03Shrimp and crab imitations remain consistently productive year-round.
- 04Bonefish are active in deeper sand troughs, reef edges, and accessible shorelines.
- 05Trevallies can be found nearshore, ambushing prey or cruising reef edges.
- 06Target deeper troughs with rapidly sinking flies for Bonefish.
- 07Focus on low light periods for the Palolo Worm hatch.
- 08Maintain a strong catch-and-release ethic and respect marine protected areas.
Past reports week by week
7 weeksWhat to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
Deceiver
A versatile baitfish pattern that imitates various smaller fish, making it excellent for predatory species like Milkfish and Trevallies. Can also attract Tuna and Mahi-Mahi.
Palolo Worm
Matches the active fall Palolo worm hatch, a key seasonal food source for these flats species.
Buy at Saltwater EdgeClouser Minnow (Saltwater)
A versatile baitfish imitation, effective year-round for predatory species like Bonefish, Milkfish, and Trevallies on the flats and inshore. Can also attract Tuna and Mahi-Mahi if they are inshore.
Buy at AmazonBonefish Scampi
A proven bonefish pattern, especially effective on shallow sandy flats where bonefish are actively tailing.
Buy at AmazonEP Shrimp
Shrimp are a consistent year-round food source in the flats, making this a reliable pattern for actively feeding fish.
Buy at AmazonGotcha
A classic shrimp imitation that is effective year-round on tropical flats for Bonefish and other opportunistic feeders.
Buy at AmazonMerkin Crab
Crabs are a consistent food source on tropical flats, effective for tailing bonefish and opportunistic Giant Trevally.
Saltwater Gurgler
Creates surface disturbance, mimicking fleeing baitfish or injured prey, enticing aggressive topwater strikes from Trevallies. Can also attract Tuna and Mahi-Mahi if they are feeding on the surface.
Where to fish and who to ask
Keawakapu Beach
Long, shallow sandflat adjacent to reef—classic spot for sight-casting to bonefish.
Ma'alaea Harbor / Flats
Protected harbor and nearby flats that can concentrate schooling fish, especially at moving tides.
Wailea Beach Access
Launch and wade access for the southern Wailea flats; often less wind-exposed.
Fly shops within 40 miles
Hawaii Fly Outfitters
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Hawaii season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Read before you go
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Quick answers
Common questions about South Maui Flats (Kihei/Wailea).
What flies work best on South Maui Flats (Kihei/Wailea)?
Our top scored fly patterns for South Maui Flats (Kihei/Wailea) right now are Deceiver (80% confidence), Clouser Minnow (Saltwater) (80% confidence), Deceiver (80% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in South Maui Flats (Kihei/Wailea)?
South Maui Flats (Kihei/Wailea) holds Bonefish, Milkfish, Tuna, Mahi-Mahi, Trevallies. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
Is South Maui Flats (Kihei/Wailea) fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for South Maui Flats (Kihei/Wailea) each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.