These are some helpful tips for anyone who wants to learn how to wahoo fish in North Carolina. These tips will help you get the best catch whether you fish offshore or with high-speed lures. You don't have to catch a wahoo recreationally. 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. The waters near Morehead City start to see wahoo in mid- to late August. The fishing is most productive when the water is clear and has 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 don't fear boats and prefer to fish just below the surface. This technique is very popular in the Bahamas, where boats are pulling artificials at speeds up to twenty knots. Barracuda aren't a problem in the Carolinas. Wahoo also increases in temperature as the ocean heats up. 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. Yellowfin tuna was the most sought-after species in spring in the past, but they have been absent in recent years. While there are some caught, they are few. This makes the catch more rewarding. 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
When it comes to catching wahoo, Ballyhoos are the best bait to use. 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 work well for both 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, ballyhoos should have a dark colored body. They are aggressive and can reach incredible speeds within seconds. Ballyhoos are also effective in luring other types of fish.
Ballyhoos can be used as wahoo-lure in North Carolina. Ballyhoos come in a variety of colors and textures. If properly fished, a ballyhoo may catch wahoo right in its natural waters. Ballyhoos also make excellent wahoo bait. If you own a planer, you should consider purchasing a hard bait, such as a Yozuri Bonita or Braid Marauder. They are available in many different colors, such as pink/black and purple/black.
When fishing for wahoo, a single-strand coffee-colored stainless steel wire leader will work well. A bridle should be attached to the leader. 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
High-speed trolling lures can be used to target wahoo. These high-speed lures can be pulled with an inline trolling weight and placed on a downrigger or planer. When targeting big tuna or wahoo, dark colors are especially effective. These lures are strong and durable, so they can keep going even after you catch 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 travel at 60 mph, while strike lures travel at 18 mph. This is the average transiting lure's speed in two to four feet waves. Because of this, you need to use heavy lures with quality drag. For maximum success, two people are recommended to gaff the fish.
Lip plugs are one of the most commonly used high-speed lures. These lures usually have wire or cable rigged to them. Unfortunately, this method can break the line when the lure gets bent, so it's best to invest in a multi-strand cable. This wire is also less likely to bend and kink, so it can run straighter. You can also use a clip to make changing lures more simple.
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. You can also use floating debris to locate these magnificent fish schools.
Before looking for schools of wahoo, the fisherman needs to first examine any floating debris in the area. 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. A 4- to 6-ounce, four- to six-ounce, diamond-tipped jig with a Mustad 3507 hook and double-strength Mustad 3407 line is recommended. A jig should have enough length to hold a 60-pound fluorocarbon lead and a float in case the bait becomes caught in the debris. Jigs should not be Butterfly-style - they have assist hooks at the top.
During the cooler months, the water surface temperature is cooler, increasing the odds of finding a Wahoo. This species prefers areas with water that is cooler and more current. Satellite imagery can be used to monitor the temperature of the surface to determine if there are any temperature changes that could lead to a higher Wahoo concentration. The fish population will move to these areas as the temperature drops. These areas offer the best fishing conditions.
Structure
The structure of North Carolina's wahoo fishing may be unusual in the Gulf of Mexico. Wahoo travel in migratory routes. In the Atlantic, they may migrate through a sequence of regions: the Caribbean, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Western Atlantic, followed by the eastern Atlantic. The structure that these fish inhabit is based on currents and 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 infamous for their razor-sharp jaws. 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 can be aggressive bottom formations. They like to hang out around wrecks, ledges and other weedlines. They like to strike fast moving baits. They will often remain near weedlines and trash in North Carolina. This means they are more likely strike a lure or weedline. 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. You can trolling around wrecks and offshore humps to catch a few wahoo.
Peak times are for food
There are several times of year when wahoo fishing is particularly productive, but there are some specific peak times of the month that you should target for best results. The best times to wahoo fish are the days immediately prior and after the Full Moon and the New Moon. You should be trolling at a normal or high speed during these peak times. You can catch a wahoo as long as your boat is capable of handling the extra speed.
Summer is the best period to fish for wahoo. These fish are best caught on the structures and ledges between Jupiter and Stuart Inlets. A wahoo is about 25 pounds on average, but there are 50-pounders available. This is the best time to catch a large or a small wahoo.
The best time to hunt wahoo is between October and 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 for wahoo fishing if you are planning a trip. You can still fish for big fish in the late April and early mai, though.
FAQ
What type is the best fishing license?
You must have a fishing licence if you want to fish in state waters (e.g. lakes, rivers, or bays). According to state laws, anglers must have a valid fishing permit before they can fish. You must have a valid fishing license if you intend to fish in federal waters, such as the Great Lakes and oceans. ), you do not need a fishing license. However, if you plan to take any fish home with you, then you must first check with local authorities to make sure you aren't breaking any laws.
How often should I change my lures?
Change your lures once a day. After being exposed to the sun for too long, lures lose their effectiveness.
Can I fish in the morning or at night?
However, you need to be sure you are using artificial lighting. Fisherman use artificial lights to lure fish. They work well after the sun sets as fish become more active in the dark.
Statistics
- 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)
- Coarse fishing is 100% catch and release these days. (linesonthewater.anglingtrust.net)
- About 40 percent of all fish are freshwater species. (takemefishing.org)
- 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)
External Links
How To
How do I clean fishing gear?
There are many options when it comes to cleaning your fishing equipment. Some are very simple while others require advanced techniques. Most people use soap and water. It is important to rinse the item well after washing it. If you don't rinse it well enough, there's a chance that some dirt remains inside, which could cause bacteria growth. This would lead to a bad smell and even worse infections if left untreated. It is best to dry your items thoroughly before you store them. Another thing that you should keep in mind when doing any type of cleaning is to avoid touching the surface of the item. Germs can be transferred to the object if you touch it.
You can do many things to improve the fishing gear's quality, other than using soap and water. For example, depending on your type of gear, you might want to use special detergents or solvents. Some things should not be used, though, as they may cause damage to your goods. Bleach is one such thing. Bleach can dissolve metal and plastic so don't use it for cleaning your fishing gear. Instead, you should use warm water and dishwashing liquid. You should only use dishwashing liquids made specifically for cleaning fish. Dishwashing fluids contain chemicals and enzymes that break down organic materials, such as blood, slime and scales. They also contain surfactants that help loosen dirt and grime from surfaces. You should still consider using a stain-removal product if you are worried about stain removal. Oils and fats on the surface of gear are often responsible for staining. Applying stain removal products directly to areas where the oil and fat are located will remove the stain while not damaging the underlying materials.
If you're looking for a cleaner solution for your fishing gear, you'll find plenty of options at your local home improvement store. Many stores stock a variety of cleaners that are suitable for various purposes. Some of them are meant to deal with small amounts of grease, while others are intended to handle larger quantities. You can choose which one best suits your needs.