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. The following information will help to find the best catch, no matter if you are fishing from an offshore trolling vessel or using 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. Wahoo begin to appear in the waters around Morehead City from 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. There are many other lures available, such as cedar plugs, Green Machines and Wahoo Whackers.
Whajoo have no fear of boats and prefer baits caught just below water's surface. This method is extremely popular in the Bahamas where artificials are pulled at speeds of up to twenty knots. Barracuda in the Carolinas are not a problem. The ocean temperature rises and so does the wahoo. The conditions for fishing and the temperatures in the water are perfect for wahoo.
Wahoo is the main target in spring and autumn. The timing of the transition from winter to spring determines when other species are likely to make an appearance. Historically, yellowfin tuna were the top target in the spring, but in recent years, they have been absent. Although some are caught occasionally, the number of them is very small. 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 itself should be in line with fish's nostrils. Ballyhoos can be used for both surface and deep-sea 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. To attract wahoo strikes, ballyhoos should have a dark colored body. They are fast and aggressive, reaching speeds of up to 125 mph in just seconds. Ballyhoos also work well in luring other types fish.
Ballyhoos are one of the most effective wahoo luring devices in the waters around North Carolina. Ballyhoos can be found in a wide range of colors and textures. If fished correctly, a Ballyhoo will catch wahoo from its native waters. Ballyhoos are also excellent bait for wahoo. A planer rod is a good choice for a hard lure. You can invest in either a Yo-zuri Bonita (or a Braid Marauder). They are available in many different colors, such as pink/black and purple/black.
A single-strand, coffee-colored stainless-steel wire leader is ideal for fishing for wahoo. The leader should have a bridle attached to it. Planers come in a variety of sizes and rigging can be crucial to their success. Capt. Weaver also mentions that wahoo can 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 high-speed lures may be pulled with an inner trolling weight and put on a downrigger. For big tuna and wahoo, the dark colors work well. They are also durable and keep running straight after catching a lot of fish. MagBay, Nomad and Nomad are other manufacturers of high-speed trolling baits.
These fish love a high-speed trolling lure because it can be quickly taken to the best fishing spots. Wahoo can run at speeds of 60 mph and strike lures at 18 miles per hour. This is the average speed of a transiting lure traveling at two to four feet per second. It is important to use heavy lures and high quality drag. For maximum success, two people are recommended to gaff the fish.
One of the most common types of high-speed lures is the lip plug. These lures usually have wire or cable rigged to them. This can cause the lure to become bent and break the line. It is best to buy a multi-stranded cable. The wire will also be less likely bend and kink so it can run straighter. A clip can be used to make changing lures simpler.
Floating debris
This is a great area to hunt this trophy fish. Whajoo are attracted to aggressive bottom formations such as wrecks and ledges. These structures provide the perfect habitat for wahoo, who tend to stack up underneath these items. Floating debris is another great location to target this fish, as it often works well under these obstacles. Floating debris can help you locate schools of these majestic fish.
Before looking for schools of wahoo, the fisherman needs to first examine any floating debris in the area. If there aren't any baitfish or dolphins in the area, he should just 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. 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 should not exist - they have assistance hooks at its top.
During the cooler months, the water surface temperature is cooler, increasing the odds 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 temperature of the water surface decreases, the fish population is more likely to move to these areas. This is when the fishing in these areas is at its best.
Structure
It is possible that the structure of North Carolina's Wahoo fishing fleet may be an anomaly in the Gulf of Mexico. Wahoo follow 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 live in a structure determined by currents and water temperatures.
Whalos have a structure-oriented fall. They are attracted to inshore lumps and drops of up to 120 feet. 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 forms and love to hang around wrecks, ledges, or other weed lines. They often prefer to strike 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 times to fish for the wahoo are July through September. The fish prefer warm Gulf Stream waters and North Carolina's wahoo fishing structure will provide plenty of opportunities to catch them. For example, you can try trolling around offshore humps or wrecks to find a few wahoo.
Peak times are for food
While there are many times of the year when wahoo fishing can be very productive, there are certain peak times in the month you should focus on for the best results. These are the best days to fish for wahoo, such as the days just before and after a Full Moon or the New Moon. These are the best times to trot at normal or high speeds. 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 can be found on the ledges or structures between Jupiter and Stuart inlets. A wahoo is about 25 pounds on average, but there are 50-pounders available. This prime time is when you can catch both a large and smaller wahoo.
From October to March, wahoo are most at their best. 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 to catch wahoo if you plan a trip during this period. You can still fish for big fish in the late April and early mai, though.
FAQ
Where can I find good fishing spots?
There are many places you can fish all around the world. Fishing is a popular pastime in many places, including public parks, private lakes, rivers, streams, or other bodies of water.
How can I tell if my lure is working?
Watch for movement when you throw your lure in the water. If your lure moves, it is functioning properly.
Can I get my kids interested in fishing?
Absolutely! Fishermen are a passion for children. Many children who grow up fishing never stop. You can encourage your child to fish by doing many things. You can show your child how to tie knots, make a fishing pole and teach them good fishing etiquette. It is possible to show them pictures of fish and tell stories about fishing.
How often should I change my lures
You should change your lures every few days. When left out in direct sunlight for too long, lures tend to lose their effectiveness.
How do I bait my hooks with bait?
Your hooks will be baited by attaching a piece if meat to its end. You can then tie the meat around one eye of your hook.
Statistics
- It is estimated there are at least 2 million people who go fishing in California each year. (californiayachtsales.com)
- 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)
- You likely have a fish hooked if the bobber moves erratically for over 5 seconds. (tailoredtackle.com)
- About 40 percent of all fish are freshwater species. (takemefishing.org)
External Links
How To
How to cast a fishing rod perfectly
The first thing you must know when casting a fishing rod is to use your wrist to move the rod's handle smoothly towards the water. You should hold the rod at a slight angle to ensure the line is parallel with the ground. Keep the rod's tip parallel to the water when you move it forward. If the tip of the rod touches the water's surface, fish won’t bite. This technique can be used to increase distance between the tip and water surface.
Here are some tips to help you cast a rod confidently.
To begin, keep the rod as close to you chest as possible. You can control the rod's direction by this method without having to bend down.
If you are casting a large rod, it is a good idea to put a tripod on the shoreline. This will allow you to secure the rod while still holding the reel.
A third option is to buy a smaller reel than an expensive one. A spinning reel that is inexpensive will enable you to cast further distances and improve your hand-eye coordination.
Fourth, you might also consider buying a fishing pole holder. These holders are designed to keep the rod upright and hold it securely. These holders can be stored away easily after each use, and they protect the rod from being damaged.
Fifth, practice casting until it becomes second nature. Casting a fishing rod takes practice.
Sixth, patience is the key to successful fishing. Waiting for the right moment is crucial. Once the strike occurs, you must work hard to reel in the fish.