Play N Hooky Sportfishing is the dependable middle of the Oahu fleet: a 41 foot Hatteras out of Kewalo Basin, run by a local captain, with one of the deepest review records on the island behind it. It is not the fanciest boat or the cheapest seat, but it does the job well across both private charters and shared trips, which makes it an easy recommendation for a first timer or a group that wants a proven operation rather than a gamble.
The verdict and where it ranks
At 7.7 Play N Hooky is a strong choice and the fourth-ranked operator on the Oahu ranking. Captain and crew and trips and access carry it: a named local captain, a comfortable boat, and the flexibility to book the whole boat or a single seat. The one mark against it is that catch reports on the shared trips run thinner than on the private charters, which is a common pattern on shared boats but worth knowing. Book it as a safe, well-reviewed choice, private if you want the best shot at fish, shared if you want the cheapest way out.
The boat
The Play’n Hooky is a 41 foot Hatteras flybridge sportfisher with twin 380 horsepower Cummins diesels and air conditioning, rigged for trolling the deep water off Honolulu. It carries up to six anglers and draws solid marks for comfort and condition. It is a mid-size boat rather than a 50 foot yacht, so it is a working fishing deck, but it is a well-kept one, and the cabin and the air conditioning make a long day offshore easier than on an open boat.
The fishing and what you target
Captain Teoni Black, who grew up on Oahu and has fished commercially from Southeast Alaska to the local aku fleet, trolls the blue water for ahi (yellowfin tuna), blue and striped marlin, mahi mahi, ono (wahoo), and aku (skipjack tuna). The deep water is close to shore off Honolulu, so a half day is a real trip rather than a long ride to the grounds. Reviews regularly credit the crew with putting people on fish, with the honest caveat that the shared trips, sharing the boat and the catch, tend to produce less per angler than a private charter.
Trips and prices
Play N Hooky is one of the more flexible boats to book. A private charter is by the whole boat for up to six: $1,299 for a half day, $1,499 for a three quarter day, and $1,699 for a full day. Shared seats are sold per person, $299 for a half day and $399 for a full day, which is among the cheaper ways onto a Honolulu troll boat. Rods, reels, line, lures, tackle, and bait are included, and no license is needed on the charter. Our cost guide and the party boat versus private charter guide help you weigh the two, and you can compare a shared seat here against Five Star.
The crew
Captain Teoni Black and his crew carry the score, and the recurring note across a large review base is energy and genuine care: a crew that hustles on the troll, teaches the gear, and keeps the day fun for families and first timers. The rating sits a notch below the very top boats, and the soft spot in the reviews is the shared trips, where a full boat and a split catch mean thinner results per person. On a private charter that concern falls away.
Booking and what to know
Book through the operator’s site or FishingBooker. The fish policy is worth a look: on a private trip the crew fillets up to 50 pounds of your catch, on a shared trip 1 to 2 pounds per person, and fish over 100 pounds stay with the boat. Bring food, drinks, and reef-safe sunscreen, and plan an early start, since trips leave in the morning.
How we scored it
Play N Hooky scores 7.7: a named local captain, a comfortable and proven boat, both private and shared access, and a deep, positive review record. Captain and crew and trips and access are its strengths. Track record is held a little back by the thinner catch reports on the shared trips. See how we scored this boat, and compare it with the rest of the Oahu charters.