Bass Fishing

Wahoo Fishing NC. How to Catch the Big Ones

By David McKinney 19 August, 2023 6 mins read

Here are some tips to help you make the most of your wahoo fishing trip to North Carolina. The following information will help to find the best catch, no matter if you are fishing from an offshore trolling vessel or using high-speed lures. You don't have to catch a wahoo recreationally. A commercial license is required to catch trophy fish.

Offshore trolling

Offshore trolling for wahoo fishing is best during the fall in North Carolina, particularly late August/early September. In mid to late August, wahoo start showing up in the waters near Morehead City. Clear, calm water and little current are the best conditions for fishing. 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 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, however, are not an issue in Carolinas. Wahoos also respond to ocean temperatures rising. The temperatures of the water and the conditions for fishing are perfect for wahoo.

In spring and fall, wahoo will be the main 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. While there are some caught, they are few. This has made the catch even more rewarding. If you are interested in high-speed trolling techniques, you might want to read about five successful captains.

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 itself should be in line with fish's nostrils. Ballyhoos have a great reputation for seafloor and surface fishing.

Wahoos typically hang out in the deeper water column, but they can be found even on the sand and 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 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 make great 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.

For fishing for wahoo, a single-strand coffee colored stainless steel wire leader works well. 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 are easily pulled by an inline weight and can be placed on a downrigger, planer, or other support device. For big tuna and wahoo, the dark colors work well. These lures can also be durable and continue running even after catching many fish. Other manufacturers of high-speed trolling lures include MagBay and Nomad.

These fish will love trolling lures that are fast and can quickly get to the right spot. Wahoo can run at speeds of 60 mph and strike lures at 18 miles per hour. This is the average transiting lure's speed in two to four feet waves. You should therefore use heavy lures that have quality drag. To maximize your chances of success, it is recommended that you gaff the fish two times.

The lip plug is one of the most popular high-speed lures. These lures are typically rigged with wire or cable. The lure can be bent by this method, which can result in the cable breaking. 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 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. As it is often able to work under these obstacles, floating debris is another excellent place to target this species of fish. Floating debris can help you locate schools of these majestic fish.

Before locating a school of wahoo, a fisherman must first check the floating debris for dolphins. If there aren't any baitfish or dolphins in the area, he should just leave it alone. He must also use a fast-retrieve reel with a 6-to-1 gear ratio to reach the wahoo. A 4 to 6 ounce, diamond jig is recommended with a Mustad 3407 hook. 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 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. As the water temperature drops, the fish population tends to move to these locations. These areas offer the best fishing conditions.

Structure

The Gulf of Mexico may have an unusual structure for wahoo fisherman in North Carolina. 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. 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 huge fish are famous for their razor-sharp teeth. Hagerich recommends heavy single strand wire and a strong rod to catch one. When fishing a wahoo, the captain helps the angler stay tight by bumping the boat in and out of gear.

Whalos are bottom-based aggressive formations that like to hang around wrecks, pronounced ledges, and other types of weeds. They will often strike fast-moving baits. They often stay near weedlines and other debris 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 time to fish for wahoo is July through September, even though it's a year-round species. The fish prefer warm Gulf Stream waters and North Carolina's wahoo fishing structure will provide plenty of opportunities to catch them. To find a few wahoo, trolling offshore wrecks or humps is a good option.

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. The best times to wahoo fish are the days immediately prior and after the Full Moon and 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. These fish are best caught on the structures and ledges between Jupiter and Stuart Inlets. The average wahoo weighs around 25 pounds, but 50-pounders are not uncommon. You can catch both large and small wahoos during this time.

It is best to go after wahoo between October and March. These months see a cooler water temperature, making wahoo easier to catch. May is a great time to light-tackle fish, even though the weather can change quickly. If you're planning a trip during this time, the best bait for wahoo is blue-crystal. If you are looking for large fish, however, fishing can be done in late April or early May.

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FAQ

What kind of fishing licence do I need?

You will need a fishing permit if your plan is to fish on state waters (i.e. the lakes, rivers and beaches). According to state laws, anglers must have a valid fishing permit before they can fish. If you are planning to fish in federal waters (e.g. oceans, Great Lakes etc.), you will need a fishing license. You do not require a fishing licence to fish in federal waters. You will need a fishing license if you plan to take fish home.

How do I bait my hooks?

Your hooks will be baited by attaching a piece if meat to its end. Attach the meat to the eye of the hook.

How do I get started fishing?

If you are new to fishing, there are several things that you need to know before you go out on the water. You must first learn about the various types of fish found in your region. It is also important to understand where fish like to hang out in order to find them. You must learn how to cast once you have found the best spots for fish. This involves learning how to throw a lure up into the air and allow it to fall down onto the water. Practice makes perfect!

What kind of gear do you need for fishing?

A rod and reel, line, hooks (bait), tackle box, and snacks. You will need to know how to cast, hook up a hook and use a trolling motor to catch fish. The most important thing is patience and waiting for the right moment to strike.

How long does it usually take to become a master fisherman

It takes years of practice to become an expert fisherman. You will be a better fisherman if you learn new techniques and improve your skills.

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)
Coarse fishing is 100% catch and release these days. (linesonthewater.anglingtrust.net)
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)