Wahoo
LOCATIONS
BODIES OF WATER
Wahoo, prized for their speed, strength, and excellent table fare, inhabit offshore waters in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, including the Mid-Atlantic waters along the East Coast of the United States.
Anglers targeting wahoo often venture into the deep waters of the Gulf Stream and offshore canyons where these pelagic predators roam. The following areas are popular for wahoo fishing in the Mid-Atlantic:
North Carolina:
Outer Banks: Depart from various ports along the Outer Banks for offshore fishing adventures targeting wahoo in the Gulf Stream and around underwater structure such as seamounts and canyons.
Cape Hatteras: Wahoo are often encountered by anglers fishing offshore waters off Cape Hatteras, particularly around temperature breaks and underwater ridges.
South Carolina:
Charleston: Depart from Charleston for offshore fishing trips targeting wahoo in the Gulf Stream and along underwater structure such as ledges, wrecks, and artificial reefs.
Virginia:
Virginia Beach: Depart from Virginia Beach for offshore fishing excursions targeting wahoo in the Gulf Stream and along the continental shelf edge, focusing on areas with temperature breaks, color changes, and underwater structure.
STRUCTURE/HABITAT
Wahoo can be found in the offshore waters of the Atlantic Ocean, including the Gulf Stream and the continental shelf.
They are also commonly found near natural structures such as underwater canyons and seamounts.
PATTERNS
SPRING
During the spring months, wahoo begin to migrate northward along the East Coast, following warming water temperatures and oceanic currents. Target them in offshore waters along the Gulf Stream and around underwater structure such as seamounts, canyons, and ridges. Use high-speed trolling techniques with lures such as diving plugs, skirted baits, and trolling feathers to entice strikes from wahoo.
SUMMER
n the summer, wahoo are abundant in offshore waters off the Mid-Atlantic coast, particularly around underwater structure and temperature breaks. Target them using trolling techniques with high-speed lures and baits, focusing on areas with upwellings, color changes, and underwater ridges where wahoo are likely to congregate and feed on baitfish schools.
FALL
As temperatures begin to cool in the fall, wahoo may still be present in offshore waters off the Mid-Atlantic coast, especially in areas with suitable habitat and prey concentrations. Target them using similar techniques as in the summer, focusing on areas with underwater structure, temperature breaks, and oceanic currents. Look for areas with concentrations of baitfish and other prey species, as these can attract wahoo and trigger feeding activity.
WINTER
During the winter months, wahoo may migrate to warmer waters further south, such as the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico, where they spend the colder months feeding and spawning. Wahoo will be less abundant in offshore waters.
Bait
Popular trolling techniques involve trolling at high speeds (10-15 knots) to imitate the rapid swimming behavior of baitfish and trigger aggressive strikes from wahoo. It is also common to use natural baits such as rigged ballyhoo, mullet, and squid, as well as artificial lures such as jet-head lures, bullet lures, and weighted skirts.
Techniques
Trolling
How: Troll a variety of baits and lures behind a boat at a speed of 8-12 knots
Gear: Rods: 6-8ft medium-heavy action. Reels: Conventional reels with a high gear ratio. Line: 50-80 lb test monofilament or braided line. Leaders: 80-130 lb test fluorocarbon or wire. Hooks: 4/0-8/0 VMC circle hooks. Tackle/Lures: Wahoo lures, skirted ballyhoo, or live baits such as mackerel or squid.
Bait Fishing:
How: Wahoo can be caught using live bait, dead bait. . Wahoo often hit their prey with incredible speed, so be ready for a sudden strike.
Gear: Rods: Heavy trolling rods. Reels: Large conventional reels with a high gear ratio. Line: 80-100lb test monofilament or braided line. Leaders: 6-10ft of 80-100lb test monofilament or fluorocarbon leader. Hooks: 7/0-10/0 hooks for dead bait and 5/0-7/0 hooks for live bait.
Casting
How: Casting for Wahoo involves casting jigs or poppers from the boat to entice the fish to bite.
Gear: Rods: 7-8ft heavy action. Reels: Conventional/Spinning reels with a high gear ratio. Line: 30-80 lb test monofilament or braided line. Leaders: 30-80 lb test fluorocarbon or wire. Hooks: 5/0-9/0 circle hooks. Tackle/Lures: Wahoo lures, jigs, plugs, or live baits such as ballyhoo or bonito.