KAILUA-KONA (KHON2) — A Big Island man from Captain Cook has gone missing after a fishing incident on Sunday morning, Jan. 15.

Sixty-three-year-old Mark Knittle was fishing with a friend on a boat off Hōnaunau at around 5 a.m.

They were fishing near the C buoy which is four miles outside the Hōnaunau Boat Ramp.

According to Knittle’s friend, Knittle had caught an ahi. His friend heard Knittle exclaim, “this fish is huge!” And then Knittle was seen falling overboard.

The friend attempted to grab the line but was unsuccessful. He said he saw Knittle disappear under the water immediately. He then jumped into the water to recover Knittle but could not find him.

The Hawai’i Fire Department and the Coast Guard responded to the call. They will continue the search for Knittle for 72 hours.

Knittle has been described as having curly brown hair with a white mustache and beard. He is five feet, 10 inches tall and weighs 185 pounds.

The Hawai’i Police Department asked that anyone who may have information should contact the department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311 or email Officer Melani Cline at melani.cline@hawaiicounty.gov.