Fly Fishing

Wahoo Fishing NC- How to Catch the Big Ones

By Bill Rollins 29 July, 2023 6 mins read

Here are some tips to help you make the most of your wahoo fishing trip to 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. The recreational catch limit of wahoo is not set. A commercial license is required to catch 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 simple ballyhoo rigged in plain shape is an excellent bait for offshore trolling. Several other lures are also popular, including cedar plugs, Green Machines, and Wahoo Whackers.

Whajoo have no fear of boats and prefer baits caught just below water's 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. As the ocean temperature rises, so do the wahoo. For wahoo fishing, the waters are ideal and there are great conditions.

Wahoo is the main target in spring and autumn. But, other species can make an appearance depending on when the winter to spring transition occurs. Yellowfin tuna has been the top target for spring fish in the past. However, in recent years they have been absent. Although some do get caught, there are not many. This has made the catch more satisfying. 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, fresh or frozen and should be retrieved using 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. Ballyhoos should be of a dark color to attract strikes from wahoo. They can run at incredible speeds and are very aggressive. Ballyhoos are also very effective at luring different 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. 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. The leader should have an attached bridle. You can find planers in three to sixteen sizes. Rigging is crucial for success. 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

Many high-speed lures for trolling are available to catch wahoo. These lures can be pulled using an inline trolling weight, and then placed on a planer or downrigger. If you are targeting large tuna or wahoos, dark colors work best. These lures can also be durable and continue running even after catching many fish. MagBay, Nomad and Nomad are other manufacturers of high-speed trolling baits.

This lure can be used to catch these fish as it is fast enough that you can get to your favorite fishing spot quickly. Wahoo can hit speeds of 60 mph with strike lures travelling at 18 MPH. This is the average transiting luring lure at a speed of two to four feet. This is why you should use quality drag and heavy lures. 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 are often rigged in wire or cable. Unfortunately, this method can break the line when the lure gets bent, so it's best to invest in a multi-strand cable. The wire can also run straighter because it is less likely to 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 like to be found in bottom formations that are aggressive, such as wrecks or ledges. These structures offer the perfect habitat for wahoos, who often pile up under them. Floating debris is another great location to target this fish, as it often works well under these obstacles. Floating debris can also help you find the schools of these majestic fish.

Before locating a school of wahoo, a fisherman must first check the floating debris for 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 6-ounce diamond jig, with a Mustad3407 hook of double strength 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. Butterfly-style Jigs are not recommended. They have help hooks at the tip.

Water surface temperatures are cooler in cooler months. This increases the chance of finding a Wahoo. This species prefers cool water and places with 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. As the water temperature decreases, fish populations are more likely to migrate to these areas. These areas are the best for fishing during this time.

Structure

A few exceptions may exist in the Gulf of Mexico. Wahoo are known to migrate in migratory patterns. They might travel in the Atlantic through the following regions: the Caribbean Gulf of Mexico; the Western Atlantic; and then on to the eastern Atlantic. These fish live in structures that are determined by currents, water temperature, and other factors.

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. 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 are more likely to take 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 reach speeds of up to ten knots.

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. To catch some wahoo, you might try trolling the offshore humps and wrecks.

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. For example, the three days immediately before and after the Full Moon, and the New Moon are prime times for wahoo fishing. These are the best times to trot at normal or high speeds. A boat capable of handling this extra speed will allow you to catch a wahoo.

Summer is the best period to fish for wahoo. The best time to target these fish is on the ledges and structure between the Jupiter and Stuart inlets. The average wahoo weighs around 25 pounds, but 50-pounders are not uncommon. During prime time you will be able catch both a large and a smaller wahoo.

October to March is the best time to target wahoo. These months are cooler than normal, which makes wahoo more inclined to bite. 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. You can still fish for big fish in the late April and early mai, though.

FAQ

Are you able to fish without a bobber?

Yes, you do! You use a bobber to prevent the bait from moving when you are fishing. The bobber is made up of the float as well as the line. You attach the hook and line to the lure. Once the line is out, let go of it. The lure could sink to the bottom if you don't have a bobber. This makes it harder for fish to take the bait.

Do I need special clothing when fishing?

Yes, you definitely need some type of clothing that protects you from the elements. Fishing requires the use of a waders suit. Waders, which are waterproof pants that cover the legs or feet, are waterproof pants. Wader suits are sometimes equipped with boots. Others wader suits can be used without boots.

What should I wear for fishing?

Protect yourself from the elements by wearing clothes. There are many options for protecting yourself: gloves, sunglasses sunscreen, gloves and a head hat. You should also bring insect repellent.

Is it safe and legal to eat fish caught from another source?

No matter where you buy your fish, always ask the seller if they have a freshness date on their fish. It's safe to eat if the fish doesn't have an expiration date. However, if the fish is old or smells bad you should not eat them.

How big should my tacklebox be?

A large tackle box is necessary because you'll need plenty of space to store all of your fishing gear. The number of items inside a tackle box will determine its size.

Statistics

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)
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)