Trout Fishing

Wahoo Fishing NC - How to Catch the Big Ones

By Dylan Smith 30/05/2022 7 mins read

Here are some tips to help you make the most of your wahoo fishing trip to North Carolina. 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. The recreational catch limit of wahoo is not set. As long as you have the right commercial licenses, it's no problem landing a trophy fish.

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. Clear water with little to no current is the best for fishing. A ballyhoo rigged in plain form is a great standard bait for offshore trolling. Many other lures are also very popular, such as cedar sticks, Green Machines, or Wahoo Whackers.

Whajoo have no fear of boats and prefer baits caught just below water's surface. This technique is very popular at the Bahamas, where boats can pull artificials up to twenty knees. Barracuda aren't a problem in the Carolinas. The ocean temperature increases, which means that the wahoo will also rise. The conditions for fishing and the temperatures in the water are perfect for wahoo.

The primary targets are wahoo in the spring and fall. 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. While some are caught, the numbers are low. This makes the catch more rewarding. You might be interested in learning more about the techniques of five experienced captains if you are looking for a high-speed trolling method.

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 positioned so that the wire pin is in line with the fish's nostrils. Ballyhoos are great for surface and seafloor fishing.

Wahoos are most likely to be found in the deeper water column. However, they can also be found on the sand and in water. To attract wahoos, ballsyhoos need to be dark in color. They are fast and aggressive, reaching speeds of up to 125 mph in just seconds. Ballyhoos also work well in luring other types fish.

Ballyhoos can be used as wahoo-lure in North Carolina. Ballyhoos are available in many colors and textures. A ballyhoo can catch wahoo in its own waters if it is fished properly. Ballyhoos are a great bait for wahoo. A planer rod is a good choice for a hard lure. You can invest in either a Yo-zuri Bonita (or a Braid Marauder). These lures come in many colors such as purple/black or pink/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. There are three to sixteen sizes of planers, so rigging is essential for success. Capt. Weaver also mentions that wahoo can be a common target. If you plan to target wahoo, you can rig a planer with an aide and a bridle to help you locate the sweet spot.

High-speed lures

High-speed trolling lures can be used to target wahoo. These high-speed lures are easily pulled by an inline weight and can be placed on a downrigger, planer, or other support device. Particularly effective when targeting large tuna or wahoo, dark colors work well. These lures are durable and can be used for many fish. MagBay, Nomad and Nomad are other manufacturers of high-speed trolling baits.

A high-speed trolling lure is ideal for these fish because it is fast enough to get to a good fishing spot quickly. Wahoos can reach speeds up to 60 mph while strike lures travel at an average speed of 18 mph. This is the average transiting lure's speed in two to four feet waves. You should therefore use heavy lures that have quality drag. Gaffing the fish should be done by two people for maximum success.

The lip plug is a popular type of high-speed lure. These lures are typically rigged with 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 is also less likely be bent or kinked, so it can run straighter. You can also use a clip to make changing lures more simple.

Floating debris

This is a great area to hunt this trophy fish. Whajoo are attracted to aggressive bottom formations such as wrecks and 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 baitfish, or dolphins around the area, then he should leave it alone. To reach the wahoo, he must use a fast-retrieve rod with a 6-to-1 ratio. A 4 to 6 ounce, diamond jig is recommended with a Mustad 3407 hook. The jigs should be large enough to protect a fluorocarbon leader 60 pounds in weight and a floating if the bait is caught in the debris. Butterfly-style jigs do not work - the hooks on the top are for assistance.

During the cooler months, the water surface temperature is cooler, increasing the odds of finding a Wahoo. This species prefers areas with water that is cooler and more current. Use satellite imagery to monitor surface temperature to determine whether any small changes in the temperature will bring in a higher concentration of Wahoo. As the water temperature decreases, fish populations are more likely to migrate to these areas. During this time, the fishing is the best in these areas.

Structure

The structure of North Carolina's wahoo fishing may be unusual in the Gulf of Mexico. Wahoo travel in migratory routes. 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. This is determined by the currents and the water temperature.

Whalos, which are structure-oriented in their fall, frequent inshore drops and lumps in 120 feet or more of water. These large fish are well-known for their razor sharp jaws. Hagerich recommends heavy singlestrand wire and an extremely heavy-duty fishing rod in order to catch one. Captains help anglers fish a wahoo by shifting the boat into and out of gear.

Whalos are aggressive bottom formations and like to hang around pronounced ledges, wrecks, and other weed lines. They prefer to strike fast-moving lures. They will often remain near weedlines and trash in North Carolina. They are more likely to catch a weedline, or an artificial lure. They can even be caught at speeds exceeding ten knots.

Although the wahoo is a year-round species, the best fishing for it occurs from 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. To locate a few, you could trot around wrecks or offshore humps.

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. 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. A boat capable of handling this extra speed will allow you to catch a wahoo.

When it comes to wahoo fishing, the most effective time is summer. The best time to target these fish is on the ledges and structure between the Jupiter and Stuart inlets. The average wahoo weights in at 25 to 25 pounds. However, there are often 50-pounders. You can catch both large and small wahoos during this time.

The best time to hunt wahoo is between October and March. Because the water is cool, wahoo are more likely to bite during these months. 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. For big fish, however you might want to try fishing in late April and/or early May.

FAQ

How do I clean a salmon?

There are many methods to clean fish. One method is to remove the head. Wash the fish well with cold water. Another option is to gut your fish. This involves removing the intestines and cleaning the inside cavity. Finally, you may ask someone to clean the fish.

Are special licenses necessary to fish?

You cannot unless you plan on taking fish out of the state or beyond county boundaries. Many states allow anglers to fish without any type of license. To find out what license is required, check with your local Fish & Wildlife Agency.

How far away from shore should I stand when fishing?

The farther you are from the shore, you're more likely to catch fish. However, it also increases the chance of getting soaked.

Statistics

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)
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)