Here are some tips to make your trip more enjoyable if you want to try wahoo-fishing in North Carolina. You can fish with any of the high-speed lures or an offshore trolling boat to catch the best catch. Remember that recreational wahoo catch is unlimited. As long as you have the right commercial licenses, it's no problem landing a trophy fish.
Offshore trolling
Offshore trolling for wahoo fishing is best during the fall in North Carolina, particularly late August/early September. In mid to late August, wahoo start showing up in the waters near Morehead City. 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 do not fear boats and prefer baits that are fished below the surface. This is a very common technique in the Bahamas, which has boats pulling artificials at speeds as high as twenty knots. Barracuda in the Carolinas are not a problem. The ocean temperature increases, which means that the wahoo will also rise. The water temperature and conditions for fishing are ideal for wahoo.
In spring and summer, wahoo is the primary target. The timing of the transition from winter to spring determines when other species are likely to make an appearance. In the spring, yellowfin tuna used to be the main target, but this has changed in recent years. Although some are caught occasionally, the number of them is very small. This has made it more rewarding to catch them. 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
Ballyhoos are the best bait for catching wahoo. You can freeze the bait, or you can retrieve it fresh using a trolling-size Jhook. The hook should be placed so that the wire pin is directly in line with the 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. 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 have the ability to lure other species fish.
Ballyhoos make the best wahoo lures in North Carolina. Ballyhoos come with a variety colors and textures. A ballyhoo is capable of catching wahoo in the waters it inhabits if fished correctly. Ballyhoos make great wahoo bait. If you own a planer, you should consider purchasing a hard bait, such as a Yozuri Bonita or 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 be equipped with a 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. A bridle can be used to rig a planer and help you find the sweet spot if you want to target wahoo.
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. They are also very durable and will continue to run even after they catch a lot of fish. MagBay is another manufacturer of high-speed trolling lures.
High-speed trolling baits are ideal for these fish, as they can move quickly enough to reach a good spot. Wahoo can reach speeds of 60mph and strike lures traveling at 18 mph. That's the speed of an average transiting bait in two- to four-foot waves. Use heavy lures with high-quality drag to achieve this effect. Two people are required to gaff fish for maximum success.
Lip plugs are one of the most commonly used high-speed lures. These lures are typically rigged with 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 love to hunt on the bottom, especially wrecks, ledges and floating debris. These structures make the perfect habitat to wahoo because they tend to pile up beneath them. As it is often able to work under these obstacles, floating debris is another excellent place to target this species of fish. Floating debris may also be a good way to spot these majestic fish schools.
Before fishing for wahoo schools, it is important to inspect any floating debris for dolphins. If there are no baitfish, or dolphins around the area, then he should leave it alone. To get to the wahoo he will need a fast-retrieve reel that has a 6-to-1 gear ratio. A 4 to 6 ounce, diamond jig is recommended with a Mustad 3407 hook. 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 are not recommended. They have help hooks at the tip.
Wahoos are more likely to be found in cooler months when the water surface temperature is lower. 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. This time is when fishing in these areas can be at its best.
Structure
A few exceptions may exist in the Gulf of Mexico. Wahoo travel in migratory routes. 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. 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 well-known for their razor sharp jaws. Hagerich suggests heavy single-strand wire and heavy-duty rods to capture one. When fishing a wahoo, the captain helps the angler stay tight by bumping the boat in and out of gear.
Whalos can be aggressive bottom formations. They like to hang out around wrecks, ledges and other weedlines. They will often strike fast-moving baits. They are often found near weedlines or debris in North Carolina. This makes them more likely to find a weedline or artificial lure. They can reach speeds of up to ten knots.
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. To find a few wahoo, trolling offshore wrecks or humps is a good option.
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. 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 these peak times, you should trolling at either a moderate or high speed. As long as your boat can handle this extra speed, you should be able to catch a wahoo.
Summer is the best season for wahoo fishing. 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. This prime time is when you can catch both a large and smaller wahoo.
You can target wahoo from October through March. These months see a cooler water temperature, making wahoo easier to catch. While the weather in May can be unpredictable, this is generally the best time for light-tackle fishing. Blue-crystal, which is the best bait when fishing for wahoo, is recommended if you're considering a trip in this season. For big fish, however you might want to try fishing in late April and/or early May.
FAQ
Can I fish in the morning or at night?
Yes, but you will need to ensure that you are using artificial light. Fishermen use artificial lights to attract fish. They are most effective after the sun sets, when fish are more active.
How deep should my line go?
Cast your line as deep as possible. Make sure your arm is straight while casting a long line.
How much money can I expect to spend on fishing gear?
You don't necessarily have to spend a lot on fishing equipment. There are many low-cost options. You could purchase a reel, line and hook for as low as $10. You can also buy a reel and reel set.
How do I bait my hooks?
Attach a piece of meat to your hook to bait it. Then tie the meat around the eye of your hook.
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)
- About 40 percent of all fish are freshwater species. (takemefishing.org)
- You likely have a fish hooked if the bobber moves erratically for over 5 seconds. (tailoredtackle.com)
External Links
How To
Why should you use spinning rods?
Spinning rods are used to cast your lure into water without having to leave the boat. If you don't want your casts to take too long, a spinning rod is a good choice. A spinning rod is designed to allow you to make casts from any position while still maintaining control of your line. There are three major components to the rod; handle, butt and reel section. The handle is the part that holds the rod in your hand and grips the shaft. The rod's tips are attached to the hook by the butt portion. The reel seat holds the line to which it is attached. There are many different types of rods available today. Some rods can only be used for trolling and casting. Others can be used to fly fish, spin fish, baitfish, and so on.
The type of fish that will be caught determines the type and size of the rod. A heavy-duty rod is best if you are targeting large predatory species such as pike or bass. For smaller species, like salmon and trout, a lighter-weight rod might be better. You could even purchase multiple rod sizes depending upon how big you plan to catch the fish.
Spinning Rods can be used for more than 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 often have a longer rod but a smaller diameter. This allows them cast farther distances. There are downsides to saltwater spinning rods. Saltwater spinning rods are not like freshwater ones. Instead, you will have to buy one separately. Secondly, they are typically quite expensive. A spinning rod is an option if you like to catch bigger fish.
Spin fishing refers to angling where a spin fisherman uses a spinning reel to cast a weighted bait into the water. When the lure moves through the water it turns around its weighted center point. The lure will move in a erratic manner, making it hard for fish to recognize the lure. Fish might also mistake the lure as food and start eating it. It will then attract more fish to the lure. The fisherman can then reel in the line attached to the lure. Once the lure is pulled, the fisherman can keep going until he catches the desired number of fish.