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. These tips will help you get the best catch whether you fish offshore or with high-speed lures. And remember, there's no size limit for recreational catch of wahoo. A commercial license is required to catch trophy fish.
Offshore trolling
It is best to go offshore fishing for wahoo in North Carolina during the autumn, particularly late August and early September. Wahoo begin to appear in the waters around Morehead City from mid-to late August. Fishing is best when there is little or no current. For offshore trolling, a ballyhoo rigged plainly is a good choice of bait. Several other lures are also popular, including 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 at the Bahamas, where boats can pull artificials up to twenty knees. Barracuda aren't a problem in the Carolinas. The ocean temperature rises and so does the wahoo. For wahoo fishing, the waters are ideal and there are great conditions.
In spring and fall, wahoo will be the main target. However, the timing of the winter to spring transition determines when other species will make an appearance. The yellowfin and bluefin tuna have historically been the top targets in spring. But they are now absent. While some are caught, the numbers are 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 is the best bait to catch wahoo. The bait can be frozen or fresh and is best retrieved with a trolling size J-hook. The hook itself should be in line with fish's nostrils. Ballyhoos are great for surface and seafloor fishing.
Wahoos usually prefer the deeper water column but can be found on the sand as well as in the water. 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 can also be used to lure other species of fish.
Ballyhoos are one of the most effective wahoo luring devices in the waters around North Carolina. Ballyhoos come with a variety colors and textures. A ballyhoo can catch wahoo in its own waters if it is fished properly. Ballyhoos also make excellent 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 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. There are three to sixteen sizes of planers, so rigging is essential 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 may be pulled with an inner trolling weight and put on a downrigger. Particularly effective when targeting large tuna or wahoo, dark colors work well. These lures are strong and durable, so they can keep going even after you catch many fish. MagBay, Nomad and Nomad are other manufacturers of high-speed trolling baits.
High-speed trolling baits are ideal for these fish, as they can move quickly enough to reach a good spot. 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. Because of this, you need to use heavy lures with quality drag. Gaffing the fish should be done by two people for maximum success.
One of the most common types of high-speed lures is the lip plug. These lures are usually rigged with wire and cable. This can cause the lure to become bent and break the line. It is best to buy a multi-stranded cable. This wire can also be run straighter as it is less likely that it will 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 will only eat wrecks, ledges, or floating debris as their preferred bottom habitat. 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 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 are no dolphins or other baitfish in the area, he should leave it alone. He should also use a fast retrieve reel with a 6-to-1 gear to reach the wahoo. It is recommended to use a 4 to 6 ounce diamond jig and a Mustad 3407 double-strength hook. The jigs should be large enough to protect a fluorocarbon leader 60 pounds in weight and a floating if the bait is caught in the debris. Butterfly-style jigs should not exist - they have assistance hooks at its top.
The water surface temperature in cooler months is lower, increasing the likelihood of finding a Wahoo. This species prefers cooler water and areas with current. Satellite imagery can be used for monitoring the temperature at the surface. This will allow you to see if any small changes could result in a higher number 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
In the Gulf of Mexico, the structure of wahoo fishing in North Carolina may be an anomaly. Wahoo tend to travel in 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. The structure that these fish inhabit is based on currents and water temperature.
Whalos are structure-oriented during the fall. This means they often drop in 120 feet of water and frequent inshore lumps. This large fish is known for their razor-sharp jaws. Hagerich recommends heavy single strand wire and a strong rod to catch one. Fishing a wahoo requires that the captain bumps the boat in and off of gear to help the angler stay steady.
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. In North Carolina, they often linger near weedlines and debris. They are more likely to catch a weedline, or an artificial lure. They can even be caught at speeds exceeding ten knots.
Although the wahoo is a year-round species, the best fishing for it occurs 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. For example, you can try trolling around offshore humps or wrecks to find a few wahoo.
Peak feeding 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. You should wahoo-fish on the days immediately preceding and following the Full Moon and New Moon. These peak times are best when you trolling at a high or normal speed. You can catch a wahoo as long as your boat is capable of handling the extra speed.
Summer is the best season for 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 around 25 pounds, but 50-pounders are not uncommon. During this prime time, you'll be able to catch both a large wahoo and a smaller one.
It is best to go after wahoo between October and March. These months see a cooler water temperature, making wahoo easier to catch. Even though May's weather is unpredictable, it's generally the best month to light-tackle fish. If you're planning a trip during this time, the best bait for wahoo is blue-crystal. You can still fish for big fish in the late April and early mai, though.
FAQ
Which is the best time of year to fish?
Early morning or late afternoon is the best time to fish. The fish will be active feeding during these times.
What happens if I lose a fish while fishing?
The game involves losing fish. Sometimes you may catch a fish, then lose it. If this happens, keep trying. You will eventually catch another fish.
How can you tell if your lure is working?
Watch for movement when you throw your lure in the water. If you observe movement, your lure may be working properly.
What happens when I get caught illegally fishing
You could face penalties, jail time, or even losing your fishing license. Before you go out fishing, it's crucial that you understand the rules.
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.
How much money can I expect to spend on fishing gear?
Fishing gear doesn't need to cost a lot. There are many low-cost options. A cheap hook, line, and reel could be your best option. Or you could invest in a quality rod and reel set.
What is your favorite bait for freshwater-fishing?
Live shrimp is the best bait available for freshwater fisherman. Shrimp are affordable, simple to catch, and taste fantastic!
Statistics
- 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)
- 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)
- It is estimated there are at least 2 million people who go fishing in California each year. (californiayachtsales.com)
- Coarse fishing is 100% catch and release these days. (linesonthewater.anglingtrust.net)
External Links
How To
Why would you need a spinning rod?
Spinning Rods are useful for casting your lure into the waters without leaving the boat. It's a great choice if you don't want to lose too much time getting back into the boat after every cast. A spinning rod can be used to cast from any location and maintain control of your line. The main components of the rod are the handle, reel seat, and butt section. The handle is where you hold the rod and grip the shaft. The hook's tip can be attached to the rod's butt section. The reel seat is where the line is attached to the reel. There are many rod options available today. Some are designed to be used only for certain types of fishing, such as casting or trolling. Others are intended to be used for different purposes, such fly fishing or spin fishing, as well as bait fishing.
The type of fish that will be caught determines the type and size of the rod. For example, if you intend to catch large predatory species like pike or bass, you'll need a heavy-duty fishing rod. If you are fishing for smaller species, such a trout or salmon, a lighter weight rod may work better. You could even consider buying multiple rod sizes, depending on how large the fish you are trying to catch.
Spinning Rods can be used for more than just freshwater fishing. They are also used frequently for saltwater fishing. Saltwater spinningrods are heavier than their freshwater counterparts. They require stronger materials in order to withstand saltwater. Saltwater spinners often have a longer rod but a smaller diameter. This allows them cast farther distances. A spinning rod is not the best choice for saltwater fishing. First, saltwater spinningrods don't come with reels. You must buy one individually. You will also find them quite expensive. A spinning rod is worth considering if you enjoy catching bigger fish.
Spin fishing refers to angling where a spin fisherman uses a spinning reel to cast a weighted bait into the water. The lure spins around the center point of the weighted lure as it swims through the water. This causes the lure move erratically through the water, making fish difficult to spot. Fish may mistakenly consider the lure food and begin eating it. This will make the lure more attractive to fish. The lure will then attract more fish to the angler's reel. Once the lure is recovered, the fisherman may continue this process until he has caught all the fish he desires.