Grander Marlin – SportFishing

Grander Marlin Sportfishing

Fishing on a piece of sportfishing history wiht our 37 Merritt

Marlin Magazine Cover shot on the Benchmark.

Grander Marlin Tackle

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Chris’s GZ Academy Trips

Welcome Aboard the Benchmark

At Grander Marlin Sportfishing Charters, our focus is on marlin... the bigger, the better and helping you finally hook the fish of your dreams. Kona is the only place in the world where blue marlin over 1,000 lbs have been caught in every month of the year. The calm, flat seas provide prime conditions almost year-round, along with consistently spectacular sunny weather.

We are a billfish-specific operation, targeting blue marlin, black marlin, striped marlin, and spearfish. If billfish are not your main interest and you’re simply looking to bend a rod, we may not be the best fit for you but we’re happy to recommend other options that better suit your needs.

Omni Sonar Technology On Board

Omni sonar (omnidirectional sonar) is a high-end 360-degree underwater scanning system used in tournament marlin fishing to detect and track fish up to 2,000+ feet away in any direction, not just below the boat. It uses a retractable transducer to provide real-time, 3D views of marlin, bait balls, and sea structure, allowing captains to actively track billfish.

Key Aspects of Omni Sonar for Marlin Fishing

360-Degree Visualization

Unlike traditional transducers that only look down, Omni sonar, such as the Furuno CSH-8L MK-2, provides a 360-degree panoramic view around the boat.

Active Tracking & Targeting

It acts like a "giant fish finder on steroids," permitting captains to see fish, track them in real-time, and make adjustments to place baits directly in front of them.

Tilt Adjustment

The transducer beam's angle can be adjusted, allowing users to scan for fish at various depths (e.g., surface, mid-water, or bottom).

Range and Accuracy

These systems can effectively spot fish 1,000 to 1,500 feet out, and sometimes up to 5,000 feet, providing a massive advantage in finding fish before they reach the spread

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Meet Our Captain

Captain Chris Donato of Grander Marlin Sportfishing Charters has been fishing all his life. As Captain he has spent over a decade fishing the south pacific islands, Samoa, Vanuatu ,Fiji and now Hawaii. Capt Chris has also been guiding clients and explored bites in top spots like Brazil, Galapagos islands, Guatemala, Mainland Mexico, Cabo san Lucas, as well as other spots In the USA. He is best learned in Lure fishing and bait and switch teaser fishing aswell as billfishing on fly. With a life long specialization in heavy tackle Blue Marlin fishing. Fishing with captain chris is an opportunity to learn from one of the best in the game, your booking more then a fishing trip your booking an experience.

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We only hunt for billfish! One of the few operations that solely focus on catching billfish in kona

Are you ready to hook up to your dream fish?

All charters are private. We do not organize shared charters.

Plan 01

Full Day Charter

Our Most Popular Charter! Our full day charter will give you 8 total hours searching for fish. This charter will provide a lot of quality time to get us in the zone through a tide cycle which will help us capitalize on the bite.

Plan 02

Hemingway Marlin Charter

For the Serious Angler! This is chasing marlin from 7am to 5pm. If you want the best odds at a blue marlin this tour is for you. This is also a great option if you only have one day to fish and want to make the most of it. You will also get to see a spectacular Kona sunset.

Customer Testimonials

I have had the pleasure of fishing a number of days with Captain Chris Donato when he was based in Samoa where he ran a thoroughly professional operation in all facets of his business from the way the boat

Regardless of where Chris's operation has been, The Billfish Foundation has been proud to call his operation, Grander Marlin, a top notch one. We have known Chris for over 10 years and he has been promoting billfish

From the ledges in Samoa to Deep Dropping Swords in Florida and now on the World Renowned waters of Kona, I have followed Captain Chris Donato in search of Granders and incredible experiences

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Our Boat - Merritt’s 37 Footers

An avid fisherman, Buddy Merritt built what he perceived to be the perfect fishing boat. The first of his 37-footers were totally lacking the luxuries taken for granted today. They were built for one purpose: to raise and catch fish. In all, 13 of these famed 37-footers were built, and 12 survive to this day (one was lost to fire caused by stray fireworks while the boat was out of the water in a boat yard).

Our vessel is Hull #5, originally named Windsong, and built for Tore Hembe. In later years she was known as Barbara Jo, Caracal, Comparss Rose, Cheetah, Mistress, Thunder, Sportin’ Life, Sassy Lady and Old Lady. In November, 2005 she was sold and moved from San Juan, Puerto Rico to Stuart, Florida to undergo a complete restoration by Gamefisherman & named “Friendship” in Virginia Beach. She was then purchased by us and renamed “BENCHMARK” and located in Western Samoa where she fished for several years. She then traveled to Fiji and now is in Kona, Hawaii which is where she will stay – combing the flat calm Kona seas.