Fly Fishing

Wahoo Fishing NC: How to Catch the Big Ones

By Bob Thomas 5 July, 2023 6 mins read

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. You'll be able to land a trophy fish as long as your commercial licenses are valid.

Offshore trolling

Offshore fishing for wahoo is best in the fall, especially in late August or 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. A standard bait for offshore trolling is a ballyhoo in its plain form. Several other lures are also popular, including 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 at the Bahamas, where boats can pull artificials up to twenty knees. Barracuda is not an issue in the Carolinas. The ocean temperature increases, which means that the wahoo will also rise. For wahoo fishing, the waters are ideal and there are great conditions.

In spring and summer, wahoo is the primary target. Other species may appear depending on the time of the winter-spring transition. Historically, yellowfin tuna were the top target in the spring, but in recent years, they have been absent. Although some fish are caught, their numbers are very low. This has made the catch even more rewarding. However, if you're interested in a high-speed trolling technique, you may want to learn more about the tactics of five accomplished captains.

Ballyhoos

Ballyhoos is the best bait to catch 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 can be used for both surface and deep-sea fishing.

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 are fast and aggressive, reaching speeds of up to 125 mph in just seconds. Ballyhoos are also effective in luring other types of fish.

Ballyhoos are the most effective wahoo lures in the waters off North Carolina. Ballyhoos are available in many colors and textures. If fished correctly, a Ballyhoo will catch wahoo from its native waters. Ballyhoos are a great bait for wahoo. 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. These lures are available in several colors, including pink/black and purple/black.

For fishing for wahoo, a single-strand coffee colored stainless steel wire leader works well. The leader should be equipped with a bridle. The sizes of planers range from three to sixteen, and the importance of rigging for success is paramount. Capt. Weaver also notes 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

High-speed trolling lures can be used to target wahoo. These high speed lures can also be pulled with an inside trolling weight. For big tuna and wahoo, the dark colors work well. They are also very durable and will continue to run even after they catch a lot of fish. MagBay is another manufacturer 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 run at speeds of 60 mph and strike lures at 18 miles per hour. That's the speed of an average transiting bait in two- to four-foot waves. This is why you should use quality drag and heavy lures. Two people are required to gaff fish for maximum success.

The lip-plug is one of most popular types of high speed lures. These lures usually have wire or cable rigged to them. However, this can cause damage to the lure if the lure is bent. This is why it's a good idea to get a multi-stranded wire. The wire can also run straighter because it is less likely to bend or kink. A clip can be used to make changing lures simpler.

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 make the perfect habitat to wahoo because they tend to pile up beneath them. Another great spot to target this fish is floating debris. It often works well beneath these obstacles. Floating debris is also a great way to find these magnificent fish in their schools.

Before looking for schools of wahoo, the fisherman needs to first examine any floating debris in the area. If there is no baitfish or dolphins, the fisherman should let it go. To get to the wahoo he will need a fast-retrieve reel that has a 6-to-1 gear ratio. A 4 to 6 ounce, diamond jig is recommended with a Mustad 3407 hook. If the bait becomes entangled in debris, the jig should be long enough for it to protect the fluorocarbon leader of 60 pounds and the float. Butterfly-style jigs do not work - the hooks on the top are for assistance.

The water surface temperature drops in the cooler months, which increases the chances of finding a Wahoo. This species prefers cool water and places with current. Satellite imagery can monitor the temperature surface to determine if any slight changes will cause a higher level of Wahoo. The fish population will move to these areas as the temperature drops. This time is when fishing in these areas can be at its best.

Structure

The Gulf of Mexico may have an unusual structure for wahoo fisherman in North Carolina. Wahoo tend to travel in migratory patterns. They can migrate in the Atlantic through several regions such as the Gulf of Mexico (the Caribbean), the Gulf of Mexico (the Western Atlantic), and then the Eastern Atlantic. These fish are dependent on water temperature and currents to determine the structure they inhabit.

Whalos are structure-oriented in fall. They like to be inshore and drop in 120 feet of seawater. These huge fish are famous for their razor-sharp teeth. 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 bottom-based aggressive formations that like to hang around wrecks, pronounced ledges, and other types of weeds. They are more likely to take fast-moving baits. 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 be caught at speeds up to ten miles per hour.

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 catch some wahoo, you might try trolling the offshore humps and wrecks.

Feeding peak times

Although there are many times throughout the year when wahoo-fishing is most productive, there are a few peak times during the month that are particularly productive. 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 period to fish for wahoo. The best place to fish for these fish is between Jupiter inlets and Stuart islands. The average wahoo weighs about 25 pounds. But, 50-pounders are not uncommon. You can catch both large and small wahoos during this time.

You can target wahoo from October through March. These months are cooler than normal, which makes wahoo more inclined to bite. Even though May's weather is unpredictable, it's generally the best month to light-tackle fish. Blue-crystal is the best bait to catch wahoo if you plan a trip during this period. If you are looking for large fish, however, fishing can be done in late April or early May.

FAQ

How big should my tackle bag be?

A large tackle box is necessary because you'll need plenty of space to store all of your fishing gear. The number of items inside a tackle box will determine its size.

When is the best time for fishing?

Early morning or late afternoon is the best time to fish. During these times, the fish are feeding and moving around.

To fish, do we need a pole?

Yes! A bobber is used to keep the bait from getting away when fishing. The bobber is made up of the float as well as the line. Casting a lure requires that you attach the hook at the end of your line. Next, you need to cast the line out and let go. You should not use a Bobber as the lure can sink into the water and make it more difficult for fish to bite.

Are special clothing requirements for fishing?

You will need clothing that is waterproof to protect you from the elements. While fishing, you will often wear a waders costume. Waders are waterproof pants which cover the legs as well as the feet. Wader suits are sometimes equipped with boots. Other waders suits can be worn with no boots.

Statistics

You likely have a fish hooked if the bobber moves erratically for over 5 seconds. (tailoredtackle.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)
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)