Here are some tips to make your trip more enjoyable if you want to try wahoo-fishing in North Carolina. These tips will help you get the best catch whether you fish offshore or with high-speed lures. The recreational catch limit of wahoo is not set. And as long as you're holding the appropriate commercial licenses, you'll have no problem landing a trophy fish.
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. Clear water with little to no current is the best for fishing. A standard bait for offshore trolling is a ballyhoo in its plain form. There are many other lures available, such as cedar plugs, Green Machines and Wahoo Whackers.
Whajoo have no fear of boats and prefer baits caught just below water's surface. This technique is very popular in the Bahamas, where boats are pulling artificials at speeds up to twenty knots. Barracuda is not an issue in the Carolinas. Wahoos also respond to ocean temperatures rising. The water temperature and conditions for fishing are ideal for wahoo.
The primary targets are wahoo in the spring and fall. However, the timing of the winter to spring transition determines when other species will make an appearance. Yellowfin tuna was the most sought-after species in spring in the past, but they have been absent in recent years. While there are some caught, they are few. The catch has been made even more rewarding by this. The tactics of five successful captains may interest you if your interests lie in trolling at high speeds.
Ballyhoos
Ballyhoos, the best bait, are ideal for catching wahoo. You can either freeze or freshen the bait and retrieve it with a trolling J-hook. The hook should be placed so that the wire pin is directly in line with the fish’s nostrils. Ballyhoos have a great reputation for seafloor and surface fishing.
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 can run at incredible speeds and are very aggressive. Ballyhoos can also be used to lure other species of fish.
Ballyhoos can be used as wahoo-lure in North Carolina. Ballyhoos are available in many colors and textures. If properly fished, a ballyhoo may catch wahoo right in its natural waters. Ballyhoos also make excellent wahoo bait. If you own a planer, you should consider purchasing a hard bait, such as a Yozuri Bonita or Braid Marauder. These lures are available in several colors, including pink/black and purple/black.
When fishing for wahoo, a single-strand coffee-colored stainless steel wire leader will work well. The leader should have an attached bridle. Planers come in three to sixteen sizes, and rigging is important for success. Capt. Weaver also mentions that wahoo can be a common target. If you're planning to target wahoo you should rig your planer with a harness.
High-speed lures
A variety of high-speed trolling lures are ideal for targeting wahoo. These high-speed lures may be pulled with an inner trolling weight and put on a downrigger. For big tuna and wahoo, the dark colors work well. They are also durable and keep running straight after catching a lot of fish. Other manufacturers of high-speed trolling lures include MagBay and Nomad.
This lure can be used to catch these fish as it is fast enough that you can get to your favorite fishing spot quickly. 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. Because of this, you need to use heavy lures with quality drag. Gaffing the fish should be done by two people for maximum success.
The lip plug is one of the most popular high-speed lures. These lures can be rigged using wire or cable. Unfortunately, this method can break the line when the lure gets bent, so it's best to invest in a multi-strand 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 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 create the perfect habitat environment for wahoos who like to stack up beneath these items. The best place to target this fish is also floating debris. This material often works 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 are no dolphins or other baitfish in the area, he should leave it alone. To reach the wahoo, he should use a fast reel with a 6-to-1 speed ratio. A 4 to six-ounce diamond jig with a double-strength Mustad 3407 hook is recommended. Jigs should be long enough to protect a 60-pound fluorocarbon leader and a float if the bait gets entangled in the debris. Butterfly-style jigs do not work - the hooks on the top are for assistance.
Water surface temperatures are cooler in cooler months. This increases the chance of finding a Wahoo. This species prefers to live in cooler waters and areas that have current. Satellite imagery can monitor the temperature surface to determine if any slight changes will cause a higher level of Wahoo. The temperature of the water surface drops, which means that the fish population moves to these areas more often. During this time, the fishing is the best in these areas.
Structure
A few exceptions may exist in the Gulf of Mexico. Wahoo tend to travel in migratory patterns. They might migrate across the Atlantic via a number of areas: the Caribbean Gulf of Mexico, the Gulf of Mexico, the Western Atlantic and the Eastern Atlantic. The structure that these fish inhabit is based on currents and water temperature.
Whalos are structure-oriented in the fall, which means that they frequent inshore lumps and drops in 120 feet of water. These large fish are infamous for their razor-sharp jaws. Hagerich recommends heavy single strand wire and a strong rod to catch one. A captain is helpful when fishing for wahoos by helping anglers stay on the water and bumping the boat.
Whalos are bottom-based aggressive formations that like to hang around wrecks, pronounced ledges, and other types of weeds. They often prefer to strike fast-moving baits. In North Carolina, they often linger near weedlines and debris. This makes them more likely to find a weedline or artificial lure. 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. You can trolling around wrecks and offshore humps to catch a few wahoo.
Peak hours feeding
Although there are many times of year that wahoo fishing proves to be productive, there is a specific time of the month when it is at its best. For example, the three days immediately before and after the Full Moon, and the New Moon are prime times for wahoo fishing. You should be trolling at a normal or high speed during these peak times. A boat capable of handling this extra speed will allow you to catch a wahoo.
Summer is the best time to fish for wahoo. The best time to target these fish is on the ledges and structure between the Jupiter and Stuart inlets. The average wahoo weighs around 25 pounds, but 50-pounders are not uncommon. During prime time you will be able catch both a large and a smaller wahoo.
The best time to hunt wahoo is between October and March. The water temperature remains cool during these months, making wahoo more likely to bite. Although May weather can be unpredictable, it is usually the best month for light-tackle fishing. Blue-crystal will be the best bait if you go on a fishing trip during this time. However, if you're looking for big fish, you can try fishing during late April and early May.
FAQ
Is it safe to consume fish caught by others?
Always ask your seller where you bought your fish. You can eat fish that has not expired if they have no expiration dates. However, if the fish is old or smells bad you should not eat them.
How can you tell if your lure is working?
If your lure is moving when you place it in the water, pay attention. If you can see movement in the water, your lure is working correctly.
Can I fish in the morning?
Yes, fishing is possible at all hours of the day. The only time you cannot fish is during times when there is a ban on fishing.
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)
- 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)
- About 40 percent of all fish are freshwater species. (takemefishing.org)
- It is estimated there are at least 2 million people who go fishing in California each year. (californiayachtsales.com)
External Links
How To
Find the Best Fishing Spot
It is important to know the type of fish that you are looking for in order to find the best spots for fishing. You need to decide if you want deep sea fishing, or shallow water fishing. Deep sea fishing is expensive and requires a boat. It's possible to fish from the shore for shallow water, which is free. You should choose shallow water fishing if you are interested in trout fishing. If you want to catch barracuda however, you will need to go deeper.
Depending on your preference, there are many types of fishing spots. Some places offer only one type of fishing while others have several options. Some places are famous for their fly fishing, while others are better at bass fishing. Other places are known for their shark-fishing and crabbing.
The best way for you to decide where to go is to consider your budget, what you want to do, and how long it will take. Do you enjoy camping? You might consider a location near a lake. Are you more drawn to city life? Maybe you prefer the ocean. You might even enjoy taking part in a sport such as kayaking, canoeing, sailing, scuba diving, or surfing.
Ask someone who is familiar with fishing. They can tell you everything, even where to go.
You might also consider searching online for "fishing places near me". This will give you many options. It would be wonderful if you could narrow your selections by reviewing and rating each product. You can do this on many websites.
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. Be sure to have all you will need. Make sure to pack your bait, tackle box and sunscreen.
Researching the weather conditions is a great idea. Look at the forecast to determine when is the best time to fish. Changes in the weather can cause you to alter your plans.
Now that you know where to go, you can start planning your trip. The next step is to decide what kind of fish you will be using.