We Tried It: Fishing for Our Lunch at Ali‘i Agriculture Farms
Bait your hook, cast your line, catch your lunch and have it cooked up in this fun, no-fuss experience.
What: Fishing from a pond and having our catch cooked for lunch on the spot
Who: Two friends looking for something new to do
Where: Ali‘i Agriculture Farms in Wahiawā
When: Daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cost: $22 plus tax for one fisher (includes one fishing pole and one bag of bait)
- $6 plus tax entry fee for nonfishing bystanders (Note: Your group can share a pole)
- Cooking fee: $8 per lb plus $8.50 cooking fee per fish
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It was a warm, sunny Sunday in Wahiawā when my friend Nancy and I decided to test our luck at Ali‘i Agriculture Farms. The farm offers folks a chance to fish and connect with nature. The best part? You’re guaranteed to catch something, and you can have your fresh catch cooked on the spot for lunch.
Photo: Gabriela Cervantes
You don’t get any instructions, but honestly, none are needed. Even with zero fishing experience, you’ll figure it out quickly—bait the hook, cast the line and wait for a bite. For an extra fee, a food truck at the farm will clean and cook your catch. Or you can buy and take home the fish you’ve caught, or just release them back into the pond.
We arrived around noon, excited to catch our own lunch. At the main booth, we got a small bucket, a fishing rod and a doughlike bait. Equipped and ready, we made our way to the pond’s edge, set up a small blanket and a chair we had brought along, and got comfortable.
The three ponds are stocked with healthy tilapia and catfish; they’re rotated so no pond is overfished. About 10 minutes after casting our line, we caught our first fish! It was tiny, so after taking a quick photo with our first “victim,” we released it. Not long after, my friend caught a much bigger one, and we couldn’t contain our excitement—we cheered, laughed and celebrated!
Posing with the first fish I caught. Photo: Gabriela Cervantes
Then came the tricky part. As complete amateurs, we struggled to remove the hook from the fish’s mouth. Thankfully, a kind woman fishing nearby offered to help, showing us how to properly unhook and place our catch in the bucket. And just like that, we were pros (or felt like it, anyway).
Nancy posing with one of the fish she caught. Photo: Gabriela Cervantes
It took us about 2 ½ hours to use up all of our bait. The key was in the size—larger bait attracted more fish, but smaller pieces lasted longer. The entire experience was incredibly entertaining. We caught several fish back to back, but none were quite big enough to keep. While we had the option to take all of our catches home, we only wanted one good-sized fish for lunch, so we released the rest.
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Once we ran out of bait, we had our freshly caught tilapia fried to perfection. From the food truck’s five sauce choices, we went with shoyu calamansi, a flavorful citrusy soy sauce. The meal came with a side of fluffy white rice and a refreshing salad with li hing pineapple.
Photo: Gabriela Cervantes
The tilapia was crispy, fresh and absolutely delicious—especially knowing we had caught it ourselves! A squeeze of fresh lemon added the perfect finishing touch. The staff was incredibly friendly, making us feel welcome and ensuring we had a great time.
As more and more families arrived, we realized how popular this place is. Unlike ocean fishing, where patience doesn’t always guarantee a catch, here, everyone is bound to reel in something, making it an ideal activity for families, friends, couples or even solo adventurers.
Photo: Gabriela Cervantes
What to Bring for the Best Experience
- Folding chairs – Comfort is key!
- An umbrella – In Hawai‘i, the sun can be unforgiving.
- Sunscreen – Trust us, you don’t want to leave sunburned.
- Gloves – If touching fish isn’t your thing.
- Plenty of water – Stay hydrated!
- And last but not least – Patience!
More than just a fishing trip, this was a bonding experience. Those hours spent by the pond gave us time to catch up on life, share stories and even practice patience—a valuable skill in fishing and in life.
If you’re looking for a fun, hands-on experience with a delicious reward at the end, Ali‘i Agriculture Farms is a must-visit. Whether you go with friends, family, or on your own, this fishing adventure is sure to leave you with great memories (and a full stomach!).
Open daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Ali‘i Agriculture Farms, 680 Whitmore Ave, Wahiawā, fishingfarmshawaii.com, @aliifarms
