Here are some tips for 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. Remember that recreational wahoo catch is unlimited. You'll be able to land a trophy fish as long as your commercial licenses are valid.
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. The waters near Morehead City start to see wahoo in mid- to late August. Clear and calm waters with minimal current are best for fishing. A standard bait for offshore trolling is a ballyhoo in its plain form. Several other lures are also popular, including cedar plugs, Green Machines, and Wahoo Whackers.
Whajoo are not afraid of boats, and they prefer baits fished just below the surface. This is a very common technique in the Bahamas, which has boats pulling artificials at speeds as high as twenty knots. However, in the Carolinas, Barracuda are not a problem. The ocean temperature rises and so does the wahoo. The water temperature and conditions for fishing are ideal 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. Yellowfin tuna has been the top target for spring fish in the past. However, in recent years they have been absent. Although some are caught occasionally, the number of them is very small. 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, the best bait, are ideal for catching wahoo. 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 have a great reputation for seafloor and surface fishing.
Wahoos usually prefer the deeper water column but can be found on the sand as well as in the water. To attract wahoo strikes to your ballyhoo, you should choose a dark-colored ballyhoo. They can run at incredible speeds and are very aggressive. Ballyhoos are also very effective at luring different types of fish.
Ballyhoos, the most effective wahoo baits in North Carolina waters, are best. Ballyhoos come with a variety colors and textures. If fished correctly, a Ballyhoo will catch wahoo from its native waters. Ballyhoos are a great bait for wahoo. 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. These lures are available in several colors, including pink/black and 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. Planers come in a variety of sizes and rigging can be crucial to their success. Capt. Weaver also notes that wahoo are 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
High-speed trolling lures can be used to target wahoo. 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 durable and can be used for many fish. MagBay, Nomad and Nomad are other manufacturers of high-speed trolling baits.
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. That is the speed of an average transiting lure in two to four foot waves. It is important to use heavy lures and high quality drag. For maximum success, two people are recommended to gaff the fish.
The lip plug is one of the most popular high-speed lures. These lures can be rigged using wire or cable. The lure can be bent by this method, which can result in the cable breaking. The wire can also run straighter because it is less likely to bend or kink. You can also use a clip to make changing lures more simple.
Floating debris
This is a great spot to catch this trophy fish. Whajoo love to hunt on the bottom, especially wrecks, ledges and floating debris. These structures offer the perfect habitat for wahoos, who often pile up under them. The best place to target this fish is also floating debris. This material often works under these obstacles. You can also use floating debris to locate these magnificent fish schools.
Before locating a school of wahoo, a fisherman must first check the floating debris for dolphins. He should not attempt to fish in areas that aren't home to baitfish or dolphins. 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. The jigs should be large enough to protect a fluorocarbon leader 60 pounds in weight and a floating if the bait is caught in the debris. Butterfly-style jigs do not work - the hooks on the top are for assistance.
Wahoos are more likely to be found in cooler months when the water surface temperature is lower. This species prefers to live in cooler waters and areas that have current. Satellite imagery is used to monitor temperature and determine if small temperature fluctuations will result in an increase in Wahoo. The temperature of the water surface drops, which means that the fish population moves to these areas more often. These areas are the best for fishing during this time.
Structure
The structure of North Carolina's wahoo fishing may be unusual in the Gulf of Mexico. Wahoo tend to travel in migratory patterns. 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 during the fall. This means they often drop in 120 feet of water and frequent inshore lumps. These large fish are known for their sharp jaws. Hagerich suggests heavy single-strand wire and heavy-duty rods to capture one. A captain is helpful when fishing for wahoos by helping anglers stay on the water and bumping the boat.
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 can often be found near weedlines 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.
Although the wahoo is a year-round species, the best fishing for it occurs from July through September. These fish prefer warmer Gulf Stream conditions, so if your goal is to find them, North Carolina's wahoo-fishing structure will be an excellent choice. To locate a few, you could trot around wrecks or offshore humps.
Peak times are for food
There are many times in the year where wahoo fisherman are most successful, but there are specific peak times that you should be focusing on to get the 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 peak times are best when you trolling at a high or normal speed. And as long as you have a boat that can handle the extra speed, you can expect to catch a wahoo.
Summer is the best time to fish for wahoo. 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 prime time is when you can catch both a large and smaller wahoo.
You can target wahoo from October through March. Because the water is cool, wahoo are more likely to bite during these months. Even though May's weather is unpredictable, it's generally the best month to light-tackle fish. Blue-crystal will be the best bait if you go on a fishing trip during this time. For big fish, however you might want to try fishing in late April and/or early May.
FAQ
What amount of money can I spend on fishing equipment?
Fishing gear doesn't need to cost a lot. You can find many affordable options. You could, for example, buy a cheap reel and line. You could also invest in a rod and reel set.
What happens when I get caught illegally fishing
You could face penalties, jail time, or even losing your fishing license. Before you go fishing, it's important that you know the rules.
What size should my tackle box be
Because you will need ample space to store your fishing gear, a large tackle box is essential. The size of your tackle box depends on the amount of items you store inside.
How often should I change my lures
Lures should be changed every few days. After being exposed to the sun for too long, lures lose their effectiveness.
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)
- 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)
- 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
Why would you want to use a spinning rod instead?
Spinning rods are used to cast your lure into water without having to leave the boat. It's a great choice if you don't want to lose too much time getting back into the boat after every cast. The spinning rod's purpose is to let you cast from any position and keep control of your line. The rod has three main components; handle, butt section, and reel seat. The handle holds the rod and allows you to grip the shaft. Attach the rod's end to the hook in the butt area. The reel seat is where the line is attached to the reel. There are many types of rods today. Some rods are only suitable for specific types of fishing such as trolling or casting. Others are intended to be used for different purposes, such fly fishing or spin fishing, as well as bait fishing.
The type of rod you select depends on what kind of fish you plan to catch. For example, if you target large predatory species like bass or pike, you would probably want a heavy-duty rod. For smaller species such as salmon or trout, a lighter rod might be better. You could even go so far as to buy several rod sizes depending on how big the fish you hope to catch is.
Spinning Rods are not limited to just freshwater fishing. They can also be used for saltwater fishing. Saltwater spinning rods are generally heavier than their freshwater counterparts because they require stronger materials to withstand the rigors of saltwater. Saltwater spinners tend to have a longer rod, but a larger diameter. This allows them to cast farther distances. A spinning rod is not the best choice for saltwater fishing. First, saltwater spinning rods do not come with reels like freshwater ones. You must buy one individually. They can also be very expensive. If you love catching bigger fish, then a spinning rod may be something to consider.
Spin fishing is a method of angling in which a fisherman uses a spinning rod to cast a weighted lure into the water. When the lure moves through the water it turns around its weighted center point. This causes the lure to move erratically in the water, making it difficult for fish to detect the lure. The lure could also be mistaken for food by fish and they may begin to eat it. The lure will draw more fish to itself. The line attached to the lure can be reeled in by the fisherman. After the lure is retrieved, the fisherman can continue the process until he has caught the desired number.