Fishing Techniques

Wahoo Fishing NC. How to Catch the Big Ones

By Trey Gordon 31 August, 2023 7 mins read

If you're looking to try your hand at wahoo fishing in North Carolina, here are some tips to make the most of your trip. You can fish with any of the high-speed lures or an offshore trolling boat to catch the best catch. Remember that recreational wahoo catch is unlimited. A commercial license is required to catch trophy fish.

Offshore trolling

The fall is the best time to trot offshore for wahoo fishing, especially in North Carolina. 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. A simple ballyhoo rigged in plain shape is an excellent bait for offshore trolling. There are many other lures available, such as cedar plugs, Green Machines and Wahoo Whackers.

Whajoo are not afraid of boats, and they prefer baits fished just below the surface. This technique is very popular in the Bahamas, where boats are pulling artificials at speeds up to twenty knots. Barracuda, however, are not an issue in Carolinas. Wahoo also increases in temperature as the ocean heats up. For wahoo fishing, the waters are ideal and there are great conditions.

Wahoo is the main target in spring and autumn. However, the timing of the winter to spring transition determines when other species will make an appearance. Yellowfin tuna has been the top target for spring fish in the past. However, in recent years they have been absent. Although some fish are caught, their numbers are very low. This has made it more rewarding to catch them. 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

Ballyhoos make the best bait when it comes to catching Wahoo. You can freeze the bait, or you can retrieve it fresh using a trolling-size Jhook. The hook itself should be positioned so that the wire pin is in line with the fish's nostrils. Ballyhoos work well for both seafloor and surface fishing.

Wahoos usually prefer the deeper water column but can be found on the sand as well as in the water. Ballyhoos should wear dark colors to attract wahoo. They are aggressive and can reach incredible speeds within seconds. Ballyhoos are also effective in luring other types of fish.

Ballyhoos, the most effective wahoo baits in North Carolina waters, are best. Ballyhoos come with a variety colors and textures. If fished correctly, a Ballyhoo will catch wahoo from its native 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.

For fishing for wahoo, a single-strand coffee colored stainless steel wire leader works well. The leader should be equipped with a bridle. You can find planers in three to sixteen sizes. Rigging is crucial for success. Capt. Weaver also points out that wahoo is 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

For chasing wahoo, a variety of high-speed trolling lures is ideal. These high-speed lures can be pulled with an inline trolling weight and placed on a downrigger or planer. If you are targeting large tuna or wahoos, dark colors work best. They are also durable and keep running straight after catching a lot of fish. MagBay and Nomad are also manufacturers of high speed trolling lures.

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 hit speeds of 60 mph with strike lures travelling at 18 MPH. That is the speed of an average transiting lure in two to four foot waves. You should therefore use heavy lures that have quality drag. Two people are required to gaff fish for maximum success.

The lip plug is one of the most popular high-speed lures. These lures usually have wire or cable rigged to them. This method can lead to the lure breaking if it is bent. Therefore, multi-strand cables are recommended. The wire will also be less likely bend and kink so it can run straighter. Clips are also useful for changing lures quickly.

Floating debris

This fish is great for targeting from floating 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. Floating debris is another great location to target this fish, as it often works well under these obstacles. Floating debris is also a great way to find these magnificent fish in their schools.

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 6-ounce, four- to six-ounce, diamond-tipped jig with a Mustad 3507 hook and double-strength Mustad 3407 line is recommended. 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. They should not be Butterfly-style, as they have help hooks at their top.

During the cooler months, the water surface temperature is cooler, increasing the odds of finding a Wahoo. This species prefers cooler water and areas with current. Satellite imagery can monitor the temperature surface to determine if any slight changes will cause a higher level of Wahoo. As the water temperature drops, the fish population tends to move to these locations. This time is when fishing in these areas can be at its best.

Structure

In the Gulf of Mexico, the structure of wahoo fishing in North Carolina may be an anomaly. Wahoo follow 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 live in a structure determined by currents and water temperatures.

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 singlestrand wire and an extremely heavy-duty fishing rod in order to catch one. When fishing a wahoo, the captain helps the angler stay tight by bumping the boat in and out of gear.

Whalos, which are aggressive bottom formations, like to hang around wrecks, pronounced edges, and other weedlines. They often prefer to strike fast-moving baits. They often stay near weedlines and other debris in North Carolina. This means they are more likely strike a lure or weedline. They can reach speeds of up to ten knots.

The best times to fish for the wahoo are 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

While there are many times of the year when wahoo fishing can be very productive, there are certain peak times in the month you should focus on for 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 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.

Summer is the best time of year to go wahoo fishing. The best places to catch these fish are on the ledges and structures between Jupiter's and Stuart inlets. Wahoos average around 25 pounds in weight, with 50-pounders not uncommon. You can catch both large and small wahoos during this time.

You can target wahoo from October through March. This is because the water temperature stays cool, making it more likely that wahoo will bite. Although May weather can be unpredictable, it is usually the best month for light-tackle fishing. 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.

FAQ

What type of fishing permit do I require?

If you plan to fish in state waters (i.e., lakes, rivers, and bays), you must purchase a fishing license. Fishing licenses are required by law in every state. If you plan to fish in federal waters (i.e., oceans, Great Lakes, etc. A fishing license is not necessary. You must check with your local authorities if you plan on taking any fish home.

Which is the best spot to fish?

Near freshwater bodies like lakes, rivers, streams, and so forth, is where you should fish. These areas provide fish with plenty of food.

How much is basic fishing gear?

Basic fishing equipment is around $100-$200 for rod/reel combination, bait, tackle box, and so on. You'll need to spend between 500-$1000 to get a bigger boat.

How deep should I go with my line?

Cast your line as deep as possible. Cast a line with your straight arm so the line doesn’t twist.

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)
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)
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)