If you're looking to try your hand at wahoo fishing in North Carolina, here are some tips to make the most of your trip. This information will help you catch the best fish, whether you fish from an off-shore trolling boat or one of the many high speed lures. You don't have to catch a wahoo recreationally. As long as you have the right commercial licenses, it's no problem landing a trophy fish.
Offshore trolling
The best time to go offshore trolling for wahoo fishing in North Carolina is during the fall, especially late August and early September. Wahoo begin to appear in the waters around Morehead City from mid-to late August. Clear, calm water and little current are the best conditions for fishing. A standard bait for offshore trolling is a ballyhoo in its plain form. Several other lures are also popular, including cedar plugs, Green Machines, and Wahoo Whackers.
Whajoo aren't afraid of boats. They prefer baits just below the water surface. This method is quite popular in the Bahamas, where boats pull artificials at speeds of twenty knots. Barracuda in the Carolinas are not a problem. The ocean temperature rises and so does the wahoo. The temperatures of the water and the conditions for fishing are perfect for wahoo.
In spring and summer, wahoo is the primary target. The timing of the transition from winter to spring determines when other species are likely to make an appearance. Yellowfin tuna has been the top target for spring fish in the past. However, in recent years they have been absent. Although some do get caught, there are not many. This has made the catch even more rewarding. If you are interested in high-speed trolling techniques, you might want to read about five successful captains.
Ballyhoos
When it comes to catching wahoo, Ballyhoos are the best bait to use. You can either freeze or freshen the bait and retrieve it with a trolling J-hook. The hook itself should be in line with fish's nostrils. Ballyhoos make great surface and seafloor fisherman.
Wahoos prefer to be in deeper water columns, but they can also be found in the sand or in the water. To attract wahoo strikes, ballyhoos should have a dark colored body. They are extremely aggressive and can move at lightning speed. Ballyhoos are also effective in luring other types of fish.
Ballyhoos make the best wahoo lures in North Carolina. Ballyhoos comes in many different colors and textures. A ballyhoo is capable of catching wahoo in the waters it inhabits if fished correctly. Ballyhoos can also be used as wahoo bait. A planer rod is a good choice for a hard lure. You can invest in either a Yo-zuri Bonita (or a Braid Marauder). They are available in many different colors, such as pink/black and purple/black.
A single-strand stainless steel wire leader in coffee-colored stainless will be a good choice for fishing for wahoo. The leader should have an attached bridle. The sizes of planers range from three to sixteen, and the importance of rigging for success is paramount. Capt. Weaver also points out that wahoo is a common target. A bridle can be used to rig a planer and help you find the sweet spot if you want to target wahoo.
High-speed lures
A variety of high-speed trolling lures are ideal for targeting wahoo. These high speed lures can also be pulled with an inside trolling weight. If you are targeting large tuna or wahoos, dark colors work best. They are also durable and keep running straight after catching a lot of fish. MagBay and Nomad are also manufacturers of high speed trolling lures.
These fish will love trolling lures that are fast and can quickly get to the right spot. Wahoo can travel at 60 mph, while strike lures travel at 18 mph. That's the speed of an average transiting bait in two- to four-foot waves. This is why you should use quality drag and heavy lures. Gaffing the fish should be done by two people for maximum success.
The lip-plug is one of most popular types of high speed lures. These lures are often rigged in wire or cable. This can cause the lure to become bent and break the line. It is best to buy a multi-stranded cable. The wire can also run straighter because it is less likely to bend or kink. To make it easier to change lures, you can use a clip.
Floating debris
This is a great spot to catch this trophy fish. Whajoo love to hunt on the bottom, especially wrecks, ledges and floating debris. These structures create the perfect habitat environment for wahoos who like to stack up beneath these items. Floating debris is another great location to target this fish, as it often works well under these obstacles. Floating debris can help you locate schools of these majestic fish.
Before trying to locate a school of Wahoo, a fisherman has to check for any floating debris that might contain dolphins. If there is no baitfish or dolphins, the fisherman should let it go. He should also use a fast retrieve reel with a 6-to-1 gear to reach the wahoo. A 4 to six-ounce diamond jig with a double-strength Mustad 3407 hook is recommended. You should make sure that the Jigs are long enough to protect a 60-pound fluorocarbon Leader and a float from getting entangled in debris. Butterfly-style jigs should not exist - they have assistance hooks at its top.
During the cooler months, the water surface temperature is cooler, increasing the odds of finding a Wahoo. This species prefers cool water and places with current. Satellite imagery is used to monitor temperature and determine if small temperature fluctuations will result in an increase in Wahoo. As the temperature of the water surface decreases, the fish population is more likely to move to these areas. This time is when fishing in these areas can be at its best.
Structure
In the Gulf of Mexico, the structure of wahoo fishing in North Carolina may be an anomaly. Wahoo are known to migrate in migratory patterns. In the Atlantic, they may migrate through a sequence of regions: the Caribbean, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Western Atlantic, followed by the eastern Atlantic. The structure that these fish inhabit is based on currents and water temperature.
Whalos have a structure-oriented fall. They are attracted to inshore lumps and drops of up to 120 feet. These huge fish are famous for their razor-sharp teeth. Hagerich recommends heavy singlestrand wire and an extremely heavy-duty fishing rod in order to catch one. The captain assists anglers fishing wahoo by moving the boat around and helping them stay in the right gear.
Whalos are aggressive bottom formations and like to hang around pronounced ledges, wrecks, and other weed lines. They often prefer to strike fast-moving baits. They can often be found near weedlines in North Carolina. This means they are more likely strike a lure or weedline. They can be caught at speeds of up 10 knots.
The best time to fish for wahoo is July through September, even though it's a year-round species. They prefer warmer Gulf Stream water, so if you're looking for a great place to fish, North Carolina's wahoo fishing infrastructure will offer you many options. To find a few wahoo, trolling offshore wrecks or humps is a good option.
Peak feeding times
There are several times of year when wahoo fishing is particularly productive, but there are some specific peak times of the month that you should target for best results. You should wahoo-fish on the days immediately preceding and following the Full Moon and New Moon. These are the best times to trot at normal or high speeds. You can catch a wahoo as long as your boat is capable of handling the extra speed.
Summer is the best time of year to go wahoo fishing. These fish are best caught on the structures and ledges between Jupiter and Stuart Inlets. A wahoo is about 25 pounds on average, but there are 50-pounders available. This prime time is when you can catch both a large and smaller wahoo.
From October to March, wahoo are most at their best. These months are cooler than normal, which makes wahoo more inclined to bite. Although the weather in May is often unpredictable, light-tackle fishing is best during this time. Blue-crystal will be the best bait if you go on a fishing trip during this time. You can also fish during the latter part of April and May if you want big fish.
FAQ
Are there any good spots for fishing?
There are many places you can fish all around the world. Many people enjoy fishing in parks, private ponds and lakes, rivers, streams and other bodies water.
How long does a skilled fisherman take?
Expert fishermanship takes practice over many years. You will be a better fisherman if you learn new techniques and improve your skills.
How often do I need to change my lures
Lures should be changed every few days. When left out in direct sunlight for too long, lures tend to lose their effectiveness.
Statistics
- For most freshwater species you are most likely to target when first starting out, a reel size of 20 to 30 should be more than enough! (strikeandcatch.com)
- Orvis, Simms, and Fishpond have been making some of the best packs and vests for a long time, and it seems like 90% of the anglers around the area use these brands. (troutandsteelhead.net)
- To substantiate this theory, Knight attempted a systematic inquiry by considering the timing of 200 'record' catches, more than 90 percent were made during a new moon (when no moon is visible). (myfwc.com)
- You likely have a fish hooked if the bobber moves erratically for over 5 seconds. (tailoredtackle.com)
External Links
How To
How to tie a fishing lure like a professional
The following steps are used to make simple fishing lures with different materials and colors.
Step 1: Cut 2 pieces of twine approximately 3/4 inches in width.
Step 2 - Fold one half of the twine in half.
Step 3 Twist each end together.
Step 4: Wrap one end of the second piece with twine around another so that the knot rests within the loop.
Step 5: Keep the loop tight.
Step 6 Repeat step 4.
Step 7: Use a needle or pin to secure the knot.
Step 8: Trim any excess twine.