Here are some tips for wahoo fishing in North Carolina. These tips will help you get the best catch whether you fish offshore or with high-speed lures. And remember, there's no size limit for recreational catch of wahoo. You'll be able to land a trophy fish as long as your commercial licenses are valid.
Offshore trolling
The fall is the best time to trot offshore for wahoo fishing, especially in North Carolina. Wahoos start appearing in the waters surrounding Morehead City between mid and late August. Fishing is best when there is little or no current. A simple ballyhoo rigged in plain shape is an excellent bait for offshore trolling. You can also use cedar plugs or Green Machines as lures.
Whajoo are not afraid of boats, and they prefer baits fished just below the surface. This method is quite popular in the Bahamas, where boats pull artificials at speeds of twenty knots. However, in the Carolinas, Barracuda are not a problem. Wahoos also respond to ocean temperatures rising. The conditions for fishing and the temperatures in the water are perfect for wahoo.
In spring and summer, wahoo is the primary target. But, other species can make an appearance depending on when the winter to spring transition occurs. In the spring, yellowfin tuna used to be the main target, but this has changed in recent years. While some are caught, the numbers are low. This has made the catch more satisfying. But if you're interested to learn more about high-speed trolling, you might like to see the tactics of five highly skilled 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 must be placed in a way that the wire pin touches the fish's nostrils. Ballyhoos can be used for both surface and deep-sea fishing.
Wahoos typically hang out in the deeper water column, but they can be found even on the sand and in the water. To attract wahoo strikes to your ballyhoo, you should choose a dark-colored ballyhoo. They are aggressive and can reach incredible speeds within seconds. Ballyhoos can also be used to lure other species of fish.
Ballyhoos make the best wahoo lures in North Carolina. Ballyhoos can be found in a wide range of colors and textures. If properly fished, a ballyhoo may catch wahoo right in its natural waters. Ballyhoos can also be used as wahoo bait. You will need a hard lure such as a Yozuri Bonita and a Braid Marauder if your planer rod has one. These lures come in many colors such as purple/black or pink/black.
One-strand coffee-colored stainless wire wire leaders will work well when fishing for wahoo. The leader should have a bridle attached to it. There are three to sixteen sizes of planers, so rigging is essential for success. 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
Many high-speed lures for trolling are available to catch wahoo. These high-speed lures can be pulled with an inline trolling weight and placed on a downrigger or planer. 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 is another manufacturer of high-speed trolling lures.
High-speed trolling baits are ideal for these fish, as they can move quickly enough to reach a good spot. Wahoo can reach speeds of 60mph and strike lures traveling at 18 mph. This is the average transiting lure's speed in two to four feet waves. This is why you should use quality drag and heavy lures. Gaffing the fish should be done by two people for maximum success.
Lip plugs are one of the most commonly used high-speed lures. These lures usually have wire or cable rigged to them. Unfortunately, this method can break the line when the lure gets bent, so it's best to invest in a multi-strand cable. This wire can also be run straighter as it is less likely that it will bend or kink. You can also use a clip to make changing lures more simple.
Floating debris
This trophy fish can be found in floatable debris. 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. Another great spot to target this fish is floating debris. It often works well beneath these obstacles. Floating debris can also help you find the schools of these majestic fish.
Before fishing for wahoo schools, it is important to inspect any floating debris for dolphins. He should not attempt to fish in areas that aren't home to baitfish or dolphins. To reach the wahoo, he must use a fast-retrieve rod with a 6-to-1 ratio. It is recommended to use a 4 to 6 ounce diamond jig and a Mustad 3407 double-strength hook. A jig should have enough length to hold a 60-pound fluorocarbon lead and a float in case the bait becomes caught in the 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 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. The temperature of the water surface drops, which means that the fish population moves to these areas more often. These areas are the best for fishing during this time.
Structure
It is possible that the structure of North Carolina's Wahoo fishing fleet may be an anomaly in the Gulf of Mexico. Wahoo tend to travel in migratory patterns. They might travel in the Atlantic through the following regions: the Caribbean Gulf of Mexico; the Western Atlantic; and then on to the eastern Atlantic. These fish live in structures that are determined by currents, water temperature, and other factors.
Whalos are structure-oriented during the fall. This means they often drop in 120 feet of water and frequent inshore lumps. This large fish is 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 like to strike fast moving baits. They will often remain near weedlines and trash 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 times to fish for the wahoo are July through September. 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. For example, you can try trolling around offshore humps or wrecks to find a few wahoo.
Peak times for feeding
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. Three days before and after the Full Moon as well as the New Moon are prime times to go wahoo fishing. During peak times, trolling should be done at either a medium or high speed. As long as your boat can handle this extra speed, you should be able to catch a wahoo.
Summer is the best time to fish for wahoo. The best places to catch these fish are on the ledges and structures between Jupiter's and Stuart inlets. The average wahoo weights in at 25 to 25 pounds. However, there are often 50-pounders. During prime time you will be able catch both a large and a smaller wahoo.
You can target wahoo from October through March. This is because the water temperature stays cool, making it more likely that wahoo will bite. May is a great time to light-tackle fish, even though the weather can change quickly. Blue-crystal, which is the best bait when fishing for wahoo, is recommended if you're considering a trip in this season. For big fish, however you might want to try fishing in late April and/or early May.
FAQ
Do I need special clothing when fishing?
You will need clothing that is waterproof to protect you from the elements. When fishing, a waders outfit is worn. Waders are waterproof pants which cover the legs as well as the feet. Some wader suits come with boots attached to them. Others wader suits can be used without boots.
Is it safe and legal to eat fish caught from another source?
No matter where your fish is purchased, make sure you ask the seller whether they have an expiration date. If there is no expiration date on the fish, it is probably safe to eat. If the fish smells or looks bad, you should not eat it.
Where can i buy fishing supplies
All of the above items can be bought at most sporting equipment stores. If you're looking for something more specific, you might want to look online. Many websites offer everything you need, from tackle boxes and lures to rods or reels.
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)
- 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)
- About 40 percent of all fish are freshwater species. (takemefishing.org)
- 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)
External Links
How To
Finding The Best Fishing Spot
Knowing what kind of fish is best for you to find the best fishing spots is essential. You need to decide if you want deep sea fishing, or shallow water fishing. Deep sea fishing requires a boat, which costs money. The cost of shallow water fishing is minimal as it's done from shore. If you're interested in catching trout, you'd probably choose shallow water fishing. You'll need to travel to deeper water if you are looking for barracuda.
You can choose from many different kinds of fishing spots depending on your preferences. Some places offer just one type of fishing; others offer several. For example, certain places are famous for their bass fishing, while others have a specialization in fly fishing. Some places are well-known for their shark fishing and crabbing.
It all depends on what you enjoy doing, your budget and how long you plan to stay. Do you enjoy camping? If so, you might be interested in a spot near a lake. Are you more drawn to city life? Maybe you prefer the beach. You might enjoy canoeing and sailing, scubadiving, kayaking, and surfing.
You can always ask someone who is knowledgeable about fishing if you don't have a lot of knowledge. You could ask them about everything, including where to go.
You can even search online for fishing spots near you. This will give a lot of options. It would be fantastic if you could narrow down the choices by reviewing ratings and reviews. Many websites offer this feature.
Once you have decided on a particular location, be sure to go there before you leave. You should always have the directions handy as sometimes it can take longer to get there than you expected. Make sure to bring all the necessary items. Make sure to pack your bait, tackle box and sunscreen.
Researching the weather conditions is a great idea. Seek out the forecast to see the best times of day. You may need to modify your plans if the weather conditions change.
Now that you know where to go, you can start planning your trip. Next is to decide what to fish.