Over the past year, Adam Daniels of Oklahoma has fished with Start Me Up Sport Fishing 18 times! Talk about some serious dedication and passion for Maui fishing! Adam – along with his wife Tracy – first fished with Start Me Up in September of 2010 and has been “hooked” ever since.

On his most recent trip to Maui Adam decided to “mark” his biggest catch and one that he’s most proud of – a 137-pound blue marlin. For many anglers, catching an elusive blue marlin is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

“I had to go out 16 times before I caught her, but it was worth it,” remembers Adam. “You have to be willing to put the time and work in.” While we agree with Adam, a little bit of luck doesn’t hurt either.

After all that fishing, Adam “relaxed” for nearly four hours at Mid-Pacific Tattoo in Lahaina last week for a more permanent memory of his big catch. Shop owner Tommy Tingle helped Adam design the marlin that now adorns his left calf – a definite conversation piece.

In between fishing trips, Start Me Up Captain Tim “Timster” Putnam stopped by Mid-Pacific to check on his friend’s progress. Timster had the pleasure of meeting the Daniels last September and has been their captain every time since – developing a relationship far beyond Maui’s fishing.

“They’re just great people,” said Timster.

Adam and Tracy are already planning their next trip to Maui in a few months and of course, their next fishing trip. We wonder how Adam will mark his next big catch…

In a mere 40-minutes, friends John Phillips and John Tyrrell of Florida reeled in an 884-pound blue marlin marking the largest blue marlin caught in Lahaina this year.

“I’ve caught my first blue marlin,” said Tyrell who has been on many sport fishing charters in Florida.  His seven-year-old son Reese joined him on this trip.

“This is actually my first deep sea fishing trip,” said Phillips.  “It is just an unbelievable experience.”  Daughter Carter also shared in the exhilarating experience, which was made possible by Captain Denny Putnam of Start Me Up Sport Fishing.

Even more unbelievable, the marlin bit two lures surprising even deckhand Randy Evans.

“This doesn’t happen often,” said Evans.  “The marlin bit the first lure – a nine-inch junior purple softhead – then jumped up and over the line to bite the second lure – a nine-inch disco ball. 

The marlin was caught about four miles outside of Lahaina Harbor during a four-hour afternoon fishing trip debunking the myth that morning is the best time to fish in Maui.

“Everything about this catch is remarkable,” said Doug Armfield, owner of Start Me Up Sport Fishing.  “I always tell my customers that they don’t have to wake up at 2 A.M. to catch the fish of a lifetime.”

Start Me Up also makes a $300 donation to a local charity whenever a marlin over 500-pounds is caught.  In honor of this catch a donation will be made to the Maui chapter of the American Cancer Society.”

“We chose the American Cancer Society because nearly everyone knows someone who has been affected by cancer,” said Armfield.  “In fact, the American Cancer Society estimates that more than 4,700 people in the Hawaiian Islands will be diagnosed with cancer, so donations are very important.”

Start Me Up Sport Fishing is the largest sport fishing company in Lahaina Harbor on the island of Maui. Combined, the captains and crew have more than 10 decades of experience fishing in Hawaii and around the world frequently catching marlin, mahi mai, ono, spearfish and aku.  You can follow the company on Facebook, Twitter and BD Outdoors.

Talk about a great fish story.  In the month of June alone, Lahaina-based Start Me Up Sport Fishing reeled in six marlin that each weighed over 500 pounds.  Good news for the anglers who get their trips for free, but also for six local charities.

“We may not see this much activity for years to come,” said Doug Armfield, owner of Start Me Up.  “Some of my guys may not catch a marlin over 500 pounds for a very long time so June was definitely a fantastic month – both for the anglers and all of the crew.  Plus, as is customary when a marlin over 500 pounds is caught, we give the angler his/her trip for free and make a $300 donation to a local charity.  In this case, we donated to six great charities in June.”

Jarod Koldeway of Denver caught the first and biggest of the marlins – 647 pounds – on June 2 with Captain Tim “Timster” Putnam and deckhand Chris Kiser.  A donation was made to the Maui Humane Society as a result.

“I thought I had caught a sunken ship or something,” joked Koldeway. “Then I thought maybe the guys tied the marlin on (to the back of the boat) before we left as a nice gesture to a tourist.”

The very next day 13-year-old Zack Martin of Illinois reeled in a 576-pound blue marlin with the help of Captain Mike Tappero and deckhand Ryan Thomas.  Martin’s entire family was aboard to celebrate the big catch.  Start Me Up made a donation to the Maui Chapter of Habitat for Humanity.

Less than two weeks later on June 15 Michael Grayson of Arkansas caught his first marlin weighing in at 592-pounds again with the help of Putnam and Kiser.  Women Helping Women – a Maui non-profit dedicated to ending domestic violence among women and children – was the recipient of a $300 donation.

Grayson’s father Jim was possibly even more excited than his son about the enormous fish.

“The adrenaline rush when you’re dealing with a fish that size is incredible,” exclaimed Jim. “It’s three hours later and the adrenaline is still pumping through me.

On June 23 it was Bud Hamrick’s turn.  The Virginia native caught a 548-pounder that resulted in a donation to the Boo Boo Zoo (also known as the East Maui Animal Refuge Center) in Haiku.

“The trip was definitely one of the best family outings ever,” said Hamrick.

Less than 24 hours later, Terry Hoffman of Washington brought in a 552-pound marlin with Captain Denny Putnam and deckhand Randy Evans.  The donation went to the West Maui Senior Center.

Not to be outdone, Lucas Lange of Missouri landed a 621-pound blue marlin during an afternoon trip on June 30 with Captain Steve Cravens and deckhand Chris Gifford.  A donation was made to the Maui Chapter of the Boys and Girls Club.

And if those fish weren’t enough, Start Me Up also tagged and released a half dozen other marlin each weighing over 100 pounds.  And just for good measure the company reeled in the largest striped marlin caught on Maui this year – weighing 138 pounds – on June 16.

“This is why people love to fish,” said Armfield. “Most of these people probably will never have the experience again, but it’s one that is nearly unforgettable.  And these experiences are what make the Start Me Up crew hit the water every day with enthusiasm – you never know what’s going to bite the other end of your line.”