Lake Fishing

Wahoo Fishing NC: How to Catch the Big Ones

By Trey Gordon 29/08/2022 7 mins read

Here are some tips to make your trip more enjoyable if you want to try wahoo-fishing in North Carolina. You can fish with any of the high-speed lures or an offshore trolling boat to catch the best catch. The recreational catch limit of wahoo is not set. It's easy to land a trophy fish if you hold the correct commercial licenses.

Offshore trolling

Offshore fishing for wahoo is best in the fall, especially in late August or early September. The first signs of wahoo are seen in the waters close to Morehead City around mid to late august. The fishing is most productive when the water is clear and has little or no current. For offshore trolling, the best bait is a simple ballyhoo. Many other lures are also very popular, such as cedar sticks, Green Machines, or Wahoo Whackers.

Whajoo are not afraid of boats, and they prefer baits fished just below the surface. This is a very common technique in the Bahamas, which has boats pulling artificials at speeds as high as twenty knots. Barracuda aren't a problem in the Carolinas. The ocean temperature increases, which means that the wahoo will also rise. The water temperature and conditions for fishing are ideal for wahoo.

In the spring and fall, wahoo are the primary target. Other species may appear depending on the time of the winter-spring transition. Historically, yellowfin tuna were the top target in the spring, but in recent years, they have been absent. Although some fish are caught, their numbers are very low. This has made the catch more satisfying. The tactics of five successful captains may interest you if your interests lie in trolling at high speeds.

Ballyhoos

When it comes to catching wahoo, Ballyhoos are the best bait to use. The bait can be frozen, fresh or frozen and should be retrieved using a trolling size 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 to your ballyhoo, you should choose a dark-colored ballyhoo. They are fast and aggressive, reaching speeds of up to 125 mph in just seconds. Ballyhoos have the ability to lure other species fish.

Ballyhoos make the best wahoo lures in North Carolina. Ballyhoos come in a variety of colors and textures. If properly fished, a ballyhoo may catch wahoo right in its natural waters. Ballyhoos are also excellent bait for wahoo. If you have a planer rod, you will want to invest in a hard lure, such as a Yo-zuri Bonita or a Braid Marauder. They come in many colors, including purple/black and pink/black.

When fishing for wahoo, a single-strand coffee-colored stainless steel wire leader will work well. A bridle should be attached on the leader. Planers come in three to sixteen sizes, and rigging is important for success. Capt. Weaver also noted that wahoo are a common target. If you are planning on targeting wahoo, rigging a planer with a bridle will help you to find the sweet spot.

High-speed lures

High-speed trolling lures can be used to target wahoo. These lures can be pulled using an inline trolling weight, and then placed on a planer or downrigger. Dark colors work especially well when targeting wahoo or big tuna. They are also durable and keep running straight after catching a lot of fish. MagBay as well as Nomad manufacture high-speed trolling lures.

These fish will love trolling lures that are fast and can quickly get to the right spot. Wahoo can hit speeds of 60 mph with strike lures travelling at 18 MPH. This is the average speed of a transiting lure traveling at two to four feet per second. It is important to use heavy lures and high quality drag. Two people are required to gaff fish for maximum success.

One of the most common types of high-speed lures is the lip plug. 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. This wire can also be run straighter as it is less likely that it will bend or kink. To make it easier to change lures, you can use a clip.

Floating debris

This fish is great for targeting from floating debris. Whajoo like to be found in bottom formations that are aggressive, such as wrecks or ledges. These structures are the ideal habitat for wahoo who will often stack up under these items. As it is often able to work under these obstacles, floating debris is another excellent place to target this species of fish. 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 are no dolphins or other baitfish in the area, he should leave it alone. He should also use a fast retrieve reel with a 6-to-1 gear to reach the wahoo. A 4 to 6 ounce, diamond jig is recommended with a Mustad 3407 hook. If the bait becomes entangled in debris, the jig should be long enough for it to protect the fluorocarbon leader of 60 pounds and the float. They should not be Butterfly-style, as they have help hooks at their top.

Water surface temperatures are cooler in cooler months. This increases the chance of finding a Wahoo. This species prefers cooler water and areas with current. Satellite imagery can be used for monitoring the temperature at the surface. This will allow you to see if any small changes could result in a higher number of Wahoo. As the water temperature decreases, fish populations are more likely to migrate to these areas. These areas are the best for fishing during this time.

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. They may travel through the Atlantic in a series of regions, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. Then they will move on to the Western Atlantic. These fish are dependent on water temperature and currents to determine the structure they inhabit.

Whalos are structure-oriented in fall. They like to be inshore and drop in 120 feet of seawater. These large fish are well-known for their razor sharp jaws. Hagerich recommends heavy single strand wire and a strong rod to catch one. The captain assists anglers fishing wahoo by moving the boat around and helping them stay in the right gear.

Whalos can be aggressive bottom formations. They like to hang out around wrecks, ledges and other weedlines. They are more likely to take fast-moving baits. In North Carolina, they often linger near weedlines and debris. This means they are more likely strike a lure or weedline. They can be caught at speeds as high as ten knots.

Although the wahoo is a year-round species, the best fishing for it occurs from July through September. These fish prefer warmer Gulf Stream waters, and if you are looking for a good place to target them, the structure of wahoo fishing in North Carolina will give you plenty of options. To find a few wahoo, trolling offshore wrecks or humps is a good option.

Peak times are for food

There are many times in the year where wahoo fisherman are most successful, but there are specific peak times that you should be focusing on to get the best results. These are the best days to fish for wahoo, such as the days just before and after a Full Moon or the New Moon. During these peak times, you should trolling at either a moderate or high speed. A boat capable of handling this extra speed will allow you to catch a wahoo.

Summer is the best season for wahoo fishing. The best place to fish for these fish is between Jupiter inlets and Stuart islands. A wahoo is about 25 pounds on average, but there are 50-pounders available. During prime time you will be able catch both a large and a smaller wahoo.

From October to March, wahoo are most at their best. Because the water is cool, wahoo are more likely to bite during these months. May is a great time to light-tackle fish, even though the weather can change quickly. Blue-crystal is the best bait to catch wahoo if you plan a trip during this period. For big fish, however you might want to try fishing in late April and/or early May.

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FAQ

What amount of money can I spend on fishing equipment?

You don't have to spend a lot of money on fishing gear. There are many inexpensive options available. You can buy a cheap line, hook, and reel. You can also invest in quality rods and reel sets.

How long does a skilled fisherman take?

You need to practice for years before you can become a proficient fisherman. To become a better fisherman, you will need to learn new techniques and increase your skill.

What happens to a fish that is lost while I'm fishing?

You will lose fish sometimes. Sometimes you might catch a fish but then lose it. When this happens, just keep trying. You will eventually catch another fish.

Where can I find quality fishing guides?

Fishing guides offer a wide variety of services. You can get advice about the best areas to fish in, tips for catching certain types of fish and even how to use various types of equipment.

What should I wear when fishing?

Wear clothes that protect you from the elements. There are many options for protecting yourself: gloves, sunglasses sunscreen, gloves and a head hat. Also, bring along insect repellent.

Statistics

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)
It is estimated there are at least 2 million people who go fishing in California each year. (californiayachtsales.com)
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)
Coarse fishing is 100% catch and release these days. (linesonthewater.anglingtrust.net)