Here are some tips to make your trip more enjoyable if you want to try wahoo-fishing in North Carolina. This information will help you catch the best fish, whether you fish from an off-shore trolling boat or one of the many high speed lures. And remember, there's no size limit for recreational catch of wahoo. As long as you have the right commercial licenses, it's no problem landing a trophy fish.
Offshore trolling
The best time to go offshore trolling for wahoo fishing in North Carolina is during the fall, especially late August and early September. Wahoo begin to appear in the waters around Morehead City from mid-to late August. Clear water with little to no current is the best for fishing. A standard bait for offshore trolling is a ballyhoo in its plain form. You can also use cedar plugs or Green Machines as lures.
Whajoo aren't afraid of boats. They prefer baits just below the water 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. As the ocean temperature rises, so do the wahoo. The temperatures of the water and the conditions for fishing are perfect for wahoo.
Wahoo is the main target in spring and autumn. 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 there are some caught, they are few. The catch has been made even more rewarding by this. 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. The bait can be frozen or fresh and is best retrieved with a trolling size J-hook. The hook should be placed so the wire pin is in line of 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 wahoos, ballsyhoos need to be dark in color. They can run at incredible speeds and are very aggressive. 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 comes in many different colors and textures. If fished correctly, a Ballyhoo will catch wahoo from its native waters. Ballyhoos make great wahoo bait. A planer rod is a good choice for a hard lure. You can invest in either 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. A bridle should be attached on the leader. Planers come in three to sixteen sizes, and rigging is important for success. Capt. Weaver also mentions that wahoo can be a common target. If you plan to target wahoo, you can rig a planer with an aide and a bridle to help you locate the sweet spot.
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. Particularly effective when targeting large tuna or wahoo, dark colors work well. They are also durable and keep running straight after catching a lot of fish. MagBay and Nomad are also manufacturers of high speed trolling lures.
These fish will love trolling lures that are fast and can quickly get to the right 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. Two people are required to gaff fish for maximum success.
The lip plug is one of the most popular high-speed lures. These lures are often rigged in wire or cable. The lure can be bent by this method, which can result in the cable breaking. The wire will also be less likely 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 will only eat wrecks, ledges, or floating debris as their preferred bottom habitat. These structures make the perfect habitat to wahoo because they tend to pile up beneath them. This is a great place to target this fish because it works well underneath these obstacles. Floating debris is also a great way to find these magnificent fish in their schools.
Before locating a school of wahoo, a fisherman must first check the floating debris for dolphins. If there are no baitfish, or dolphins around the area, then he should 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, four- to six-ounce, diamond-tipped jig with a Mustad 3507 hook and double-strength Mustad 3407 line is recommended. 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.
Water surface temperatures are cooler in cooler months. This increases the chance of finding a Wahoo. This species prefers water with current and cooler temperatures. 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. As the water temperature decreases, fish populations are more likely to migrate to these areas. 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. 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. These fish are dependent on water temperature and currents to determine the structure they inhabit.
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 well-known for their razor sharp jaws. Hagerich recommends heavy singlestrand wire and an extremely heavy-duty fishing rod in order 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 aggressive bottom formations and like to hang around pronounced ledges, wrecks, and other weed lines. They like to strike fast moving baits. They are often found near weedlines or debris in North Carolina. They are more likely than others to be caught near weedlines or artificial lures. They can even be caught at speeds exceeding ten knots.
The best fishing season for the wahoo can be found from July to September. The fish prefer warm Gulf Stream waters and North Carolina's wahoo fishing structure will provide plenty of opportunities to catch them. To catch some wahoo, you might try trolling the offshore humps and wrecks.
Peak hours feeding
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. These are the best days to fish for wahoo, such as the days just before and after a Full Moon or the New Moon. During peak times, trolling should be done at either a medium or high speed. As long as your boat can handle this extra speed, you should be able to catch a wahoo.
When it comes to wahoo fishing, the most effective time is summer. These fish can be found on the ledges or structures between Jupiter and Stuart inlets. The average wahoo weighs about 25 pounds. But, 50-pounders are not uncommon. This prime time is when you can catch both a large and smaller wahoo.
October to March is the best time to target wahoo. Because the water is cool, wahoo are more likely to bite during these months. May is a great time to light-tackle fish, even though the weather can change quickly. Blue-crystal is the best bait for wahoo fishing if you are planning a trip. However, if you're looking for big fish, you can try fishing during late April and early May.
FAQ
How far away should I stand while fishing?
You are more likely to catch fish the further you stand from shore. This also increases your chances of getting wet.
Do I need special licenses to fish?
No, not unless you plan to take fish out of state or across county lines. Many states allow anglers to fish without any type of license. Find out the requirements by contacting your local Fish & Wildlife authority.
What is the best season to fish?
It is best to fish in the morning or at night. These times are ideal for fish to be feeding and moving about.
Statistics
- You likely have a fish hooked if the bobber moves erratically for over 5 seconds. (tailoredtackle.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)
- 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)
External Links
How To
How to Tie a Fishing lure Like a Pro
Here are the steps to make simple fishing lures in different colors and materials.
Step 1: Cut two pieces approximately 3/4" wide of twine.
Step 2: Fold one piece of twine in half.
Step 3 - Twist both ends together.
Step 4: Wrap the ends of the twine around the first twine piece so that the knot is inside the loop.
Step 5: Close the loop.
Step 6 - Repeat step 4.
Step 7: Use a needle to secure the knot.
Step 8: Cut excess twine.