Onaga belong to the group of deep water bottomfish that Hawaii calls the Deep 7, and they are among the most prized of them. They live on steep, rocky slopes far down, feeding on small fish, squid and crustaceans, and their soft, delicate flesh is eaten raw as sashimi, steamed whole or fried. Around New Year in Hawaii a red fish on the table stands for good luck, and onaga is the one people look for.
The one boat on our site that lists onaga is Sashimi II, run by Ohana Fun Fishing from Kewalo Basin Harbor in Honolulu. Be realistic about it. This is a three hour shared bottom fishing trip on the inshore water off Oahu's south shore, leaving at 11:00, and onaga live much deeper than inshore fishing usually reaches. It suits families and beginners, with gear, bait and water included, but it is not a deep water trip. Ask the crew what has been coming up lately before you go.
You book seats on a 60 foot Delta with a restroom, so you share the deck with other guests. Check in 20 minutes early. Cleaning is included, so ask about keeping what you catch. The onaga's short-tailed cousin, the ehu, is on the same boat's list.
Questions and answers
Short answers to what people ask before they book. Anything else, ask the captain in chat.
Is the Sashimi II trip from Honolulu a real chance at onaga?
Treat it as a long shot. Onaga live on deep slopes, and Sashimi II runs a three hour inshore bottom fishing trip from Kewalo Basin Harbor. You fish for whatever the crew finds that day, so ask them what has been landed lately before you book.
How do you tell onaga from ehu?
Both are red deep water snappers. Onaga have long, pointed tips on the tail, which is where the name long-tail comes from, and grow bigger. Ehu have a shorter forked tail and stay smaller. The Sashimi II crew can tell you which one you have.