These are some helpful tips for anyone who wants to learn how to wahoo fish in North Carolina. 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. It's easy to land a trophy fish if you hold the correct commercial licenses.
Offshore trolling
It is best to go offshore fishing for wahoo in North Carolina during the autumn, particularly late August and early September. 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 standard bait for offshore trolling is a ballyhoo in its plain form. 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 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. The water temperature and conditions for fishing are ideal for wahoo.
In spring and summer, wahoo is the primary target. 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. While some are caught, the numbers are low. This makes the catch more rewarding. The tactics of five successful captains may interest you if your interests lie in trolling at high speeds.
Ballyhoos
Ballyhoos is the best bait to catch wahoo. You can either freeze or freshen the bait and retrieve it with a trolling J-hook. The hook must be placed in a way that the wire pin touches the fish's nostrils. Ballyhoos work well for both seafloor and surface fishing.
Wahoos tend to prefer deeper water, but they are also found in the sand. To attract wahoo strikes, ballyhoos should have a dark colored body. They are fast and aggressive, reaching speeds of up to 125 mph in just seconds. Ballyhoos can also be used to lure other species of fish.
Ballyhoos, the most effective wahoo baits in North Carolina waters, are best. Ballyhoos come with a variety colors and textures. When fished correctly, a ballyhoo can catch wahoo in its native waters. Ballyhoos are also excellent 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 come in many colors such as purple/black or pink/black.
A single-strand, coffee-colored stainless-steel wire leader is ideal for fishing for wahoo. 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 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 are easily pulled by an inline weight and can be placed on a downrigger, planer, or other support device. Dark colors work especially well when targeting wahoo or big tuna. They are also durable and keep running straight after catching a lot of 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. Wahoos can reach speeds up to 60 mph while strike lures travel at an average speed of 18 mph. That's the speed of an average transiting bait 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 can be rigged using wire or cable. This can cause the lure to become bent and break the line. It is best to buy a multi-stranded cable. 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
Floating debris is a great place to target this trophy fish. Whajoo are attracted to aggressive bottom formations such as wrecks and ledges. These structures provide the perfect habitat for wahoo, who tend to stack up underneath these items. Floating debris is another great location to target this fish, as it often works well under these obstacles. Floating debris may also be a good way to spot these majestic fish 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 reach the wahoo, he must use a fast-retrieve rod with a 6-to-1 ratio. It is recommended to use a 4 to 6 ounce diamond jig and a Mustad 3407 double-strength hook. 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.
Wahoos are more likely to be found in cooler months when the water surface temperature is lower. 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 decreases, fish populations are more likely to migrate to these areas. These areas are the best for fishing during this time.
Structure
The structure of North Carolina's wahoo fishing may be unusual in the Gulf of Mexico. Wahoo travel in migratory routes. They might migrate across the Atlantic via a number of areas: the Caribbean Gulf of Mexico, the Gulf of Mexico, the Western Atlantic and the Eastern Atlantic. The structure that these fish inhabit is based on currents and water temperature.
Whalos are structure-oriented in fall. They like to be inshore and drop in 120 feet of seawater. This large fish is known for their razor-sharp jaws. Hagerich recommends heavy singlestrand wire and an extremely heavy-duty fishing rod in order to catch one. A captain is helpful when fishing for wahoos by helping anglers stay on the water and bumping the boat.
Whalos can be aggressive bottom formations. They like to hang out around wrecks, ledges and other weedlines. They prefer to strike fast-moving lures. They can often be found near weedlines 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 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.
Peak hours feeding
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. For example, the three days immediately before and after the Full Moon, and the New Moon are prime times for wahoo fishing. These are the best times to trot at normal or high speeds. If your boat is capable to handle the additional speed, you will be able catch a wahoo.
Summer is the best period to fish for wahoo. The best places to catch these fish are on the ledges and structures between Jupiter's and Stuart inlets. A wahoo is about 25 pounds on average, but there are 50-pounders available. You can catch both large and small wahoos during this time.
It is best to go after wahoo between October and March. These months are cooler than normal, which makes wahoo more inclined to bite. While the weather in May can be unpredictable, this is generally the best time for light-tackle fishing. Blue-crystal is the best bait for wahoo fishing if you are planning a trip. If you are looking for large fish, however, fishing can be done in late April or early May.
FAQ
When fishing, how far from shore should you stand?
You are more likely to catch fish the further you stand from shore. However, it also increases the chance of getting soaked.
What size should my tackle box be
A large tackle box is necessary because you'll need plenty of space to store all of your fishing gear. The size of tackle boxes will vary depending on how many items are stored inside.
Where can I find my fishing gear?
These items are available at most sporting good stores. Online shopping is a good option if you are searching for something particular. You can find everything on many websites, from lures and tackle boxes to rods and reels.
How do you bait your hooks?
Attach a piece of meat to your hook to bait it. Attach the meat to the eye of the hook.
Statistics
External Links
How To
How to Tie a Fishing lure Like a Pro
These steps will allow you to create simple fishing lures using different materials and colors.
Step 1: Cut two pieces of twine about 3/4 inch wide.
Step 2 - Fold one half of the twine in half.
Step 3: Twist both ends together.
Step 4: Wrap the end of the second piece of twine around the first piece of twine so that the knot sits inside the loop.
Step 5: Pull the loop tight.
Step 6: Repeat step 4 on the other side.
Step 7 - Secure the knot using a pin or needle.
Step 8: Trim any excess twine.