Fishing Lures

Wahoo Fishing NC. How to Catch the Big Ones

By Mike Richardson 25 April, 2023 7 mins read

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. 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. A commercial license is required to catch trophy fish.

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. Clear water with little to no current is the best 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 don't fear boats and prefer to fish just below the surface. This method is extremely popular in the Bahamas where artificials are pulled at speeds of up to twenty knots. Barracuda, however, are not an issue in Carolinas. The ocean temperature rises and so does the wahoo. The conditions for fishing and the temperatures in the water are perfect for wahoo.

In spring and summer, wahoo is the primary target. The transition from winter into spring will determine when other species will appear. 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 has made the catch more satisfying. You might be interested in learning more about the techniques of five experienced captains if you are looking for a high-speed trolling method.

Ballyhoos

Ballyhoos make the best bait when it comes to catching 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 are most likely to be found in the deeper water column. However, they can also be found on the sand and in water. Ballyhoos should be of a dark color to attract strikes from wahoo. They are aggressive and can reach incredible speeds within seconds. Ballyhoos are also very effective at luring different types of fish.

Ballyhoos make the best wahoo lures in North Carolina. Ballyhoos are available in many colors and textures. A ballyhoo can catch wahoo in its own waters if it is fished properly. Ballyhoos also make excellent 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). You can find them in many colors including pink/black or purple/black.

A single-strand stainless steel wire leader in coffee-colored stainless will be a good choice for fishing for wahoo. The leader should have a bridle attached to it. 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 are planning on targeting wahoo, rigging a planer with a bridle will help you to find the sweet spot.

High-speed lures

You can target wahoo with a variety high-speed trolling baits. These high speed lures can also be pulled with an inside trolling weight. For big tuna and wahoo, the dark colors work well. These lures are strong and durable, so they can keep going even after you catch many fish. Other manufacturers of high-speed trolling lures include MagBay and Nomad.

A high-speed trolling lure is ideal for these fish because it is fast enough to get to a good fishing spot quickly. Wahoos can reach speeds up to 60 mph while strike lures travel at an average speed of 18 mph. This is the average transiting luring lure at a speed of two to four feet. Because of this, you need to use heavy lures with quality drag. To ensure maximum success, you should gaff the fish with two people.

The lip-plug is one of most popular types of high speed lures. These lures are typically rigged with wire or cable. However, this can cause damage to the lure if the lure is bent. This is why it's a good idea to get a multi-stranded wire. This wire is also less likely be bent or kinked, so it can run straighter. To make it easier to change lures, you can use a clip.

Floating debris

This trophy fish can be found in floatable debris. Whajoo love to hunt on the bottom, especially 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. Floating debris is also a great way to find these magnificent fish in their schools.

Before searching for a school, a fisherman should first inspect the floating debris for signs of dolphins. If there is no baitfish or dolphins, the fisherman should let it go. To reach the wahoo, he must use a fast-retrieve rod with a 6-to-1 ratio. A 4 to six-ounce diamond jig with a double-strength Mustad 3407 hook is recommended. 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. They should not be Butterfly-style, as they have help hooks at their top.

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. The temperature of the water surface drops, which means that the fish population moves to these areas more often. During this time, the fishing is the best in these areas.

Structure

A few exceptions may exist in the Gulf of Mexico. Wahoo tend to travel in migratory patterns. 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 are dependent on water temperature and currents to determine the structure they inhabit.

Whalos, which are structure-oriented in their fall, frequent inshore drops and lumps in 120 feet or more of water. 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. The captain assists anglers fishing wahoo by moving the boat around and helping them stay in the right gear.

Whalos, which are aggressive bottom formations, like to hang around wrecks, pronounced edges, and other weedlines. They are more likely to take fast-moving baits. They often stay near weedlines and other debris in North Carolina. This makes them more likely to find a weedline or 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 locate a few, you could trot around wrecks or offshore humps.

Feeding peak times

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. Three days before and after the Full Moon as well as the New Moon are prime times to go wahoo fishing. During peak times, trolling should be done at either a medium or high 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. 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. This is the best time to catch a large or a small wahoo.

The best time to hunt wahoo is between October and March. 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, which is the best bait when fishing for wahoo, is recommended if you're considering a trip in this season. However, if you're looking for big fish, you can try fishing during late April and early May.

FAQ

What is the cost of basic fishing gear?

Basic fishing equipment costs around $100-$200 dollars for rod/reel combos, bait, tackle box, etc. You'll need to spend between 500-$1000 to get a bigger boat.

How much time does it take to catch a fish?

It depends on the size of the fish and the skill level of the fisherman. It takes anywhere from one minute to an hour to land a fish. The better your chances of landing a big fish are, the longer you wait.

What type of fishing permit do I require?

A fishing license must be purchased if you plan on fishing in state waters (i.e. rivers, lakes and bays). State laws require anglers to obtain a valid fishing license before fishing. If you are planning to fish in federal waters (e.g. oceans, Great Lakes etc.), you will need a fishing license. Fishing licenses are not required if you plan to fish in federal waters. However, you will need to check with the authorities before you take any fish home.

Which rod do I choose?

Graphite-fiberglass composite is the best choice for fly fishing. This material has exceptional casting qualities and is strong. To cast better, you must practice with graphite rods.

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)
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)
About 40 percent of all fish are freshwater species. (takemefishing.org)