Artificial Lures

Wahoo Fishing NC, How to Catch the Big Ones

By Dylan Smith 30 May, 2023 6 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. You don't have to catch a wahoo recreationally. It's easy to land a trophy fish if you hold the correct commercial licenses.

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 and calm waters with minimal current are best for fishing. 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 method is quite popular in the Bahamas, where boats pull artificials at speeds of twenty knots. Barracuda is not an issue in the Carolinas. Wahoo also increases in temperature as the ocean heats up. The conditions for fishing and the temperatures in the water are perfect for wahoo.

In spring and fall, wahoo will be the main target. The transition from winter into spring will determine when other species will appear. 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 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

Ballyhoos, the best bait, are ideal for catching wahoo. You can freeze the bait, or you can retrieve it fresh using a trolling-size Jhook. The hook must be placed in a way that the wire pin touches the fish's nostrils. Ballyhoos are great for surface and seafloor fishing.

Wahoos typically hang out in the deeper water column, but they can be found even on the sand and in the water. Ballyhoos should wear dark colors to attract wahoo. They can run at incredible speeds and are very aggressive. Ballyhoos are also effective in luring other types of fish.

Ballyhoos can be used as wahoo-lure in North Carolina. Ballyhoos comes in many different colors and textures. A ballyhoo can catch wahoo in its own waters if it is fished properly. 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. A bridle should be attached to the leader. You can find planers in three to sixteen sizes. Rigging is crucial for success. Capt. Weaver notes that wahoo have a tendency to be a common target. If you're planning to target wahoo you should rig your planer with a harness.

High-speed lures

For chasing wahoo, a variety of high-speed trolling lures is ideal. These high-speed lures may be pulled with an inner trolling weight and put on a downrigger. Dark colors work especially well when targeting wahoo or big tuna. These lures are strong and durable, so they can keep going even after you catch many fish. MagBay is another manufacturer of high-speed trolling lures.

These fish love a high-speed trolling lure because it can be quickly taken to the best fishing spots. 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. Because of this, you need to use heavy lures with quality drag. For maximum success, two people are recommended to gaff the fish.

The lip plug is a popular type of high-speed lure. 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 is also less likely to bend and kink, so it can run straighter. Clips are also useful for changing lures quickly.

Floating debris

Floating debris is a great place to target this trophy fish. Whajoo prefer aggressive bottom formations, such as wrecks, ledges, and floating debris. These structures make the perfect habitat to wahoo because they tend to pile up beneath them. The best place to target this fish is also floating debris. This material often works under these obstacles. Floating debris is also a great way to find these magnificent fish in their schools.

Before fishing for wahoo schools, it is important to inspect any floating debris for dolphins. If there are no baitfish, or dolphins around the area, then he should leave it alone. To get to the wahoo he will need a fast-retrieve reel that has a 6-to-1 gear ratio. 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 are not recommended. They have help hooks at the tip.

The water surface temperature in cooler months is lower, increasing the likelihood of finding a Wahoo. This species prefers water with current and cooler temperatures. Satellite imagery is used to monitor temperature and determine if small temperature fluctuations will result in an increase in Wahoo. The fish population will move to these areas as the temperature drops. This is when the fishing in these areas is at its best.

Structure

It is possible that the structure of North Carolina's Wahoo fishing fleet may be an anomaly in the Gulf of Mexico. Wahoo prefer to move in migratory ways. 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. 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 suggests heavy single-strand wire and heavy-duty rods to capture one. A captain is helpful when fishing for wahoos by helping anglers stay on the water and bumping the boat.

Whalos, which are aggressive bottom formations, like to hang around wrecks, pronounced edges, and other weedlines. They prefer to strike fast-moving lures. 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 as high as ten knots.

The best time to catch wahoo is from July through September. These fish prefer warmer Gulf Stream conditions, so if your goal is to find them, North Carolina's wahoo-fishing structure will be an excellent choice. You can trolling around wrecks and offshore humps to catch a few wahoo.

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. For example, the three days immediately before and after the Full Moon, and the New Moon are prime times for wahoo fishing. During these peak times, you should trolling at either a moderate or high speed. And as long as you have a boat that can handle the extra speed, you can expect 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 this prime time, you'll be able to catch both a large wahoo and a smaller one.

October to March is the best time to target wahoo. Because the water is cool, wahoo are more likely to bite during these months. While the weather in May can be unpredictable, this is generally the best time for light-tackle fishing. Blue-crystal, which is the best bait when fishing for wahoo, is recommended if you're considering a trip in this season. You can still fish for big fish in the late April and early mai, though.

FAQ

When is the best time for fishing?

It is best to fish in the morning or at night. During these times, the fish are feeding and moving around.

How often should I change my lures?

Every few days, lures should be changed. After too much exposure to the sun, lures will lose their effectiveness.

To fish, you will need a Bobber

Yes! The bobber is used when the bait is being removed from the water. There are two parts of a bobber, the float or the line. You attach the hook and line to the lure. Once the line is out, let go of it. The lure could sink to the bottom if you don't have a bobber. This makes it harder for fish to take the bait.

Where can i buy fishing supplies

All of these items can be purchased at most sporting goods shops. If you're looking for something more specific, you might want to look online. Many websites sell everything from rods and reels to tackle boxes and lures.

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)
About 40 percent of all fish are freshwater species. (takemefishing.org)
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)