These are some helpful tips for anyone who wants to learn how to wahoo fish in North Carolina. These tips will help you get the best catch whether you fish offshore or with high-speed lures. There is no limit on recreational catch of wahoo. You'll be able to land a trophy fish as long as your commercial licenses are valid.
Offshore trolling
Offshore fishing for wahoo is best in the fall, especially in late August or early September. Wahoos start appearing in the waters surrounding Morehead City between mid and late August. Fishing is best when there is little or no current. For offshore trolling, a ballyhoo rigged plainly is a good choice of bait. You can also use cedar plugs or Green Machines as lures.
Whajoo aren't afraid of boats. They prefer baits just below the water surface. This method is quite popular in the Bahamas, where boats pull artificials at speeds of twenty knots. Barracuda, however, are not an issue in Carolinas. As the ocean temperature rises, so do the wahoo. The conditions for fishing and the temperatures in the water are perfect for wahoo.
The primary targets are wahoo in the spring and fall. The transition from winter into spring will determine when other species will appear. In the spring, yellowfin tuna used to be the main target, but this has changed in recent years. Although some fish are caught, their numbers are very low. The catch has been made even more rewarding by this. The tactics of five successful captains may interest you if your interests lie in trolling at high speeds.
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 should be placed so the wire pin is in line of the fish's nostrils. Ballyhoos are great for surface and seafloor fishing.
Wahoos tend to prefer deeper water, but they are also found in the sand. To attract wahoo strikes to your ballyhoo, you should choose a dark-colored ballyhoo. They can be aggressive and reach speeds of up to 30 mph in a matter of seconds. Ballyhoos have the ability to lure other species fish.
Ballyhoos are one of the most effective wahoo luring devices in the waters around North Carolina. Ballyhoos come with a variety colors and textures. If fished correctly, a Ballyhoo will catch wahoo from its native waters. Ballyhoos also make excellent 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 come in many colors, including purple/black and pink/black.
A single-strand stainless steel wire leader in coffee-colored stainless will be a good choice for fishing for wahoo. A bridle should be attached to the leader. There are three to sixteen sizes of planers, so rigging is essential for success. Capt. Weaver also notes that wahoo are a common target. You can target wahoo by rigging a planer using a bridle.
High-speed lures
For chasing wahoo, a variety of high-speed trolling lures is ideal. These lures can be pulled using an inline trolling weight, and then placed on a planer or downrigger. When targeting big tuna or wahoo, dark colors are especially effective. These lures are durable and can be used for many fish. MagBay and Nomad are also manufacturers of high speed trolling lures.
A high-speed trolling lure is ideal for these fish because it is fast enough to get to a good fishing spot quickly. 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. This is why you should use quality drag and heavy lures. To maximize your chances of success, it is recommended that you gaff the fish two times.
One of the most common types of high-speed lures is the lip plug. 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 can also be run straighter as it is less likely that it will bend or kink. You can also use a clip to make changing lures more simple.
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. Another great spot to target this fish is floating debris. It often works well beneath these obstacles. Floating debris can help you locate schools of these majestic fish.
Before searching for a school, a fisherman should first inspect the floating debris for signs of dolphins. If there aren't any baitfish or dolphins in the area, he should just 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 six-ounce diamond jig with a double-strength Mustad 3407 hook 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 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 to live in cooler waters and areas that have current. Use satellite imagery to monitor surface temperature to determine whether any small changes in the temperature will bring in a higher concentration of Wahoo. The fish population will move to these areas as the temperature drops. This time is when fishing in these areas can be at its best.
Structure
The Gulf of Mexico may have an unusual structure for wahoo fisherman in North Carolina. Wahoo tend to travel in migratory patterns. They can migrate in the Atlantic through several regions such as the Gulf of Mexico (the Caribbean), the Gulf of Mexico (the Western Atlantic), and then the Eastern Atlantic. The structure that these fish inhabit is based on currents and water temperature.
Whalos are structure-oriented in the fall, which means that they frequent inshore lumps and drops in 120 feet of water. This large fish is known for their razor-sharp jaws. Hagerich suggests heavy single-strand wire and heavy-duty rods to capture one. Fishing a wahoo requires that the captain bumps the boat in and off of gear to help the angler stay steady.
Whalos are bottom-based aggressive formations that like to hang around wrecks, pronounced ledges, and other types of weeds. They like to strike fast moving baits. They can often be found near weedlines 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 catch wahoo is from 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.
Feeding peak times
Although there are many times of year that wahoo fishing proves to be productive, there is a specific time of the month when it is at its best. These are the best days to fish for wahoo, such as the days just before and after a Full Moon or the New Moon. You should be trolling at a normal or high speed during these peak times. You can catch a wahoo as long as your boat is capable of handling the extra speed.
Summer is the best time of year to go wahoo fishing. These fish can be found on the ledges or structures between Jupiter and Stuart inlets. The average wahoo weighs about 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. The water temperature remains cool during these months, making wahoo more likely to bite. While the weather in May can be unpredictable, this is generally the best time for light-tackle fishing. If you're planning a trip during this time, the best bait for wahoo is blue-crystal. For big fish, however you might want to try fishing in late April and/or early May.
FAQ
How do I bait my hooks with bait?
Your hooks will be baited by attaching a piece if meat to its end. Then tie the meat around the eye of your hook.
Is it safe?
It doesn't matter where you buy fish. Always ask the seller if their fish has a freshness expiration date. You can eat fish that has not expired if they have no expiration dates. But if the fish looks old or smells bad, then you shouldn't eat it.
Do I need special clothing when fishing?
Yes, you will need some clothing to protect yourself from the elements. When fishing, a waders outfit is worn. Waders cover the legs and feet with waterproof pants. Wader suits are sometimes equipped with boots. Others wader suits can be used without boots.
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)
- 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)
- 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
How to Fish in Freshwater
Freshwater fishing means catching fish from freshwater streams, lakes and rivers. Bass, catfish, crappie and trout are the most commonly caught fish. These species can be caught in a variety different ways. Trolling, trolling, trolling, spinnerbaits and flyfishing are all popular methods.
Finding a good spot to catch fish is the first step in any fishing endeavor. This usually means choosing a place close to the source of your water supply. Next you must decide what kind of equipment you want to use.
It is important to choose bait that looks similar to food for live bait. Live bait includes worms, minnows, crickets, frogs, leeches, bloodworms, grasshoppers, and other small insects.
You can also use artificial lures, baits made out of plastic, wood, feathers, rubber, metal, foam, and other materials. Artificial lures come as many styles and sizes. They are able to imitate aquatic prey, such as shiners, crawfish, grubs, minnows, and other animals. It is easy to cast lures into the water and it doesn't take much skill. Easy to set up, and easy to retrieve when they reach their target.
Casting is a great way to learn if you don't want to use live bait, or just want to experiment with new techniques. Casting is one of the easiest ways to catch fish. It takes very little effort and requires no special skill.
A rod, reel, line and sinker, floatant, hooks and weights are all you need. A simple pole can be used to cast. Simply hold the rod vertically over the water to cast. Slowly lower your rod so it touches the water. Once it touches the water, the line will begin to unwind from your reel. The lure will drop into the water once the line is at its full length.
Trolling is another way to catch fish. Trolling is a technique that uses a boat to move a lure through the water.
Fishing is both enjoyable and lucrative. There are many options for fishing. Each has its pros and cons. Some techniques are easier than others. However, they require patience and practice.