Fishing Techniques

Wahoo Fishing NC: How to Catch the Big Ones

By David McKinney 19/08/2022 6 mins read

Here are some tips to help you make the most of your wahoo fishing trip to North Carolina. Whether you're fishing from an offshore trolling boat or using one of the many high-speed lures, the following information will help you find the best catch. And remember, there's no size limit for recreational catch of wahoo. As long as you have the right commercial licenses, it's no problem landing a trophy fish.

Offshore trolling

Offshore trolling for wahoo fishing is best during the fall in North Carolina, particularly late August/early September. The waters near Morehead City start to see wahoo in mid- to late August. Clear, calm water and little current are the best conditions for fishing. For offshore trolling, the best bait is a simple ballyhoo. You can also use cedar plugs or Green Machines as lures.

Whajoo do not fear boats and prefer baits that are fished below the surface. This is a very common technique in the Bahamas, which has boats pulling artificials at speeds as high as twenty knots. Barracuda aren't a problem in the Carolinas. As the ocean temperature rises, so do the wahoo. The conditions for fishing and the temperatures in the water are perfect for wahoo.

In the spring and fall, wahoo are the primary target. Other species may appear depending on the time of the winter-spring transition. Yellowfin tuna has been the top target for spring fish in the past. However, in recent years they have been absent. While there are some caught, they are few. 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

Ballyhoos are the best bait for catching wahoo. 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 make great surface and seafloor fisherman.

Wahoos tend to prefer deeper water, but they are also found in the sand. To attract wahoo strikes to your ballyhoo, you should choose a dark-colored ballyhoo. They can run at incredible speeds and are very aggressive. Ballyhoos are also effective in luring other types of fish.

Ballyhoos make the best wahoo lures in North Carolina. Ballyhoos come with a variety colors and textures. If fished correctly, a Ballyhoo will catch wahoo from its native waters. Ballyhoos also make excellent wahoo bait. If you have a planer rod, you will want to invest in a hard lure, such as a Yo-zuri Bonita or a Braid Marauder. You can find them in many colors including pink/black or purple/black.

A single-strand, coffee-colored stainless-steel wire leader is ideal for fishing for wahoo. A bridle should be attached on the leader. You can find planers in three to sixteen sizes. Rigging is crucial for success. Capt. Weaver also noted that wahoo are 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

You can target wahoo with a variety high-speed trolling baits. 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. These lures are durable and can be used for many 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. You should therefore use heavy lures that have quality drag. For maximum success, two people are recommended to gaff the fish.

The lip plug is one of the most popular high-speed lures. These lures are often rigged in wire or cable. This method can lead to the lure breaking if it is bent. Therefore, multi-strand cables are recommended. This wire can also be run straighter as it is less likely that it will bend or kink. Also, try using a clip to make changing lures easier.

Floating debris

This is a great area to hunt this trophy fish. Whajoo prefer aggressive bottom formations, such as wrecks, ledges, and floating debris. These structures are the ideal habitat for wahoo who will often stack up under these items. This is a great place to target this fish because it works well underneath these obstacles. Floating debris can help you locate schools of these majestic fish.

Before searching for a school, a fisherman should first inspect the floating debris for signs of dolphins. If there is no baitfish or dolphins, the fisherman should let it go. He should also use a fast retrieve reel with a 6-to-1 gear to reach the wahoo. 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 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 to live in cooler waters and areas that have current. Satellite imagery is used to monitor temperature and determine if small temperature fluctuations will result in an increase in Wahoo. As the water temperature decreases, fish populations are more likely to migrate to these areas. These areas offer the best fishing conditions.

Structure

In the Gulf of Mexico, the structure of wahoo fishing in North Carolina may be an anomaly. Wahoo travel in migratory routes. 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. This is determined by the currents and the 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 well-known for their razor sharp jaws. Hagerich recommends using heavy single-stranded wire and a long-handled 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 often stay near weedlines and other debris in North Carolina. This means that they are more likely to strike a weedline or an artificial lure. They can reach speeds of up to ten knots.

The best fishing season for the wahoo can be found from July to September. These fish prefer warmer Gulf Stream temperatures, and North Carolina has a lot of options for wahoo fishermen looking to find them. For example, you can try trolling around offshore humps or wrecks to find a few wahoo.

Feeding peak times

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. Three days before and after the Full Moon as well as the New Moon are prime times to go wahoo fishing. You should be trolling at a normal or high speed during these peak times. If your boat is capable to handle the additional speed, you will be able 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. The average wahoo weighs about 25 pounds. But, 50-pounders are not uncommon. You can catch both large and small wahoos during this time.

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 the weather in May is often unpredictable, light-tackle fishing is best during this time. Blue-crystal will be the best bait if you go on a fishing trip during this time. If you are looking for large fish, however, fishing can be done in late April or early May.

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FAQ

How do I clean a salmon?

There are many ways to clean a fish. The easiest way to clean a fish is to remove its head and guts. After that, rinse the fish with cold running water. Another option is to gut the fish yourself. This involves removing intestines and cleaning inside cavity. Finally, ask another person for help.

Is it possible to fish during the day?

Yes, you can fish any hour of the night. Only times that fishing is banned are when you can fish.

What happens if I get caught fishing illegally?

You could face fines or jail time as well as losing your fishing permit. Before you go out fishing, it's crucial that you understand the rules.

What type of gear are you going to need for fishing?

A rod, reel line, hooks, line, bait, tackle box and some snacks. You will need to know how to cast, hook up a hook and use a trolling motor to catch fish. Most importantly, you must be patient and wait until the right moment to strike!

What is the time it takes to catch a fish.

It depends on how big the fish is and what level of skill the fisherman has. It takes anywhere from one minute to an hour to land a fish. The better your chances of landing a big fish are, the longer you wait.

Which rod do I choose?

The best rod for fly fishing is made from graphite fiberglass composite. This material is strong, lightweight, and has excellent casting properties. To be able to cast better with graphite, you need to practice.

Statistics

It is estimated there are at least 2 million people who go fishing in California each year. (californiayachtsales.com)
You likely have a fish hooked if the bobber moves erratically for over 5 seconds. (tailoredtackle.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)