Captain
Teoni Black

Captain Teoni Black was born and raised here on the Island of Oahu. As a kid he grew up fishing the channels between the Hawaiian Islands, catching Mahi Mahi, Tuna, and Ono aboard his parents’ sailboats. After high school, Teoni took a job on a commercial “aku boat” and learned the jack pole skipjack tuna fishery. One summer, he drifted off to Alaska and worked on a commercial salmon troller fishing for Silver and King Salmon. He also spent time longlining for Halibut and Black Cod and spent the next four years fishing all over Southeast Alaska. Following this experience, he returned to Hawaii and spent years deep sea fishing aboard multiple sportfishing vessels. Teoni fell in love with pelagic sportfishing and became the full-time Captain on Play N Hooky. Like all of our Captains, he loves the thrill of the catch and the opportunity to share that thrill with others.

Whether you’re new to deep-sea fishing or a seasoned salt, we’re committed to giving you an unforgettable experience on the water. Before we head out, our crew will walk you through what to expect, how to handle the rods and reels, and what to do when it’s hana pa‘a — fish on! We love getting to know our guests from across the country and around the world. Let’s talk story and swap fishing tales. Our local crew is always happy to share recommendations for the best places to explore — and where to eat — on O‘ahu and beyond.