PIFG Tag-It Project

When do you get eight oio to bite, much less bring in 3/4 of them on the flats? Ask ! Thad didn't stay out of the action. And to top things off, Thad got a manini to bite?!? Mahalo for remembering to tag some fish in all the chaos!

"Got lucky with a nice ‘ō‘io, a small ‘ōmilu and a snagged manini. What a morning for . I got to watch him go 6 for 10! Every time I looked up he was on an ‘ō‘io. My ‘ō‘io and pāpio were tagged and released, PIFG and A14578.

Jumprize All Wake 86 Finesse
Shimano 22 Stella FK 3K
10 # Sufix 832, 16 # Varivas fluoro leader
Blue Flake Kukai Chubby Grubs"

Keith kamikawa's 22" Oio

Happy February. We had 14 fish tagged. Check out the newsletter for some great pictures, recognition recipients from January's categories, and an upcoming event on Oahu PIFG is leading and will be at, and is open to the public.

February Newsletter: https://www.fishtoday.org/tagging-updates/tag-it-february-2026

Upcoming Recognition for February tagged fish (Coast Lantern / Set of 10 tags / PIFG Tagging Shirt)

Largest Shore Based Fish

Barracuda

Random Raffle

Good luck out there and stay dry! Please reach out if you need anything or there's anything we can do to help support you.

Aloha,
PIFG Tag It Team
Pacific Islands Fisheries Group
website: https://www.fishtoday.org/
email: [email protected]
Order tags: https://www.fishtoday.org/pifg-store

Aloha All,

Thank you for a great year in 2025! 332 fish were tagged!

In the newsletter, you'll find the categories for 2026 Tagging tournament, recognition, Da List from 2025 year, and some other great catches from December.

https://www.fishtoday.org/tagging-updates/tag-it-january-2026

If you have any questions, need anything, please reach out.

Aloha,

PIFG Tag It Team
Pacific Islands Fisheries Group
website: https://www.fishtoday.org/
email: [email protected]
Order tags: https://www.fishtoday.org/pifg-store/tagging

Thad Nakajima squeezing in one more before the end of 2025

Thanks for the effort, Thad! Much appreciated! We know it's a handful. When we asked if ok to use for Tag It, Thad replied:

"Short solo session on the flats and last of 2025. I didn’t think I’d get back out before the end of the year but I found some time this afternoon. Also got another chance to try and bless the Zenaq Inqlude with an ‘ō‘io and got lucky with a small one. Tagged and released PIFG tag .

Zenaq Inqlude IS89-M5 - Master Hand
Daiwa 19 Certate LT 3000-CXH
SLP Works SLPW EX LT 3000D spool
X-Braid Castman PE 1.5, 15 # fluoro leader
Sato Lure Co. Aojako Chubby Grub

I enjoy tagging them. I’ve slowly gotten used to tagging and measuring the fish while in the water. Something I used to avoid on the flats."

A tagged omilu was recovered by Chaz Tom on 11/29/2025. approx. 11.75" off of Turtle Bay. It was originally tagged by Kevin Mita on 10/13/2025, 11.75" fl. in the same area. It was a short term recovery 47 days at liberty with travel of less than a mile and no growth. (Chaz had an approximate length of 11" fork length measurement as he may not have been carrying a tape measure. Although Chaz re-released this omilu, it would have been good to get accurate measurements).

Aloha All,

Taidas Belanio's Omilu, congratulations!

Thank you for the great year of tagging and wishing everyone a Happy Holidays. We are at 320 fish tagged this year. What an accomplishment by each of the taggers and the collective effort!

Check out the latest Tag It Newsletter: https://www.fishtoday.org/tagging-updates/tag-it-december-2025

We will host a meeting for our taggers on December 18th from 12:00pm - 12:45 to close out the year and share upcoming opportunities and plans for 2026. We also want to hear from you about feedback and recommendations. If you are available, please find the meeting information here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/HgPoUWBETm6c-RdT8WeXKw #/registration

Highlights in the December Newsletter include:

Tag It project receiving $15,000 from NOAA Recreational Fishing Headquarters to support on-going tagging efforts

Two Oio recoveries

Great pictures from the taggers, and the next generation getting out and tagging fish.

Thank you, as always for supporting Pacific Islands Fisheries Group Tag It Project and for caring about the continued health and access of our fisheries!

Aloha,

PIFG Tag It Team
Pacific Islands Fisheries Group
website: https://www.fishtoday.org/
email: [email protected]
Order tags: https://www.fishtoday.org/pifg-store/tagging

Jourdan Kua'ana had some moi action recently. Thanks for supporting Tag It!

"Got a late session in and found this 11”er within 5 cast and hooked a bigger one on the following cast, but lost it at my feet. Bite completely died after that, but was a pretty killa evening on the water 🤙🏽 tagged and released this guy to live another day Tag

Rod: Ballistick 102MH
Reel: Stella FK 4k
Main: Avani Max Power PE2
Leader: 12lb seabass fluoro
Lure: Obake ghost chubby"