Here are some tips to help you make the most of your wahoo fishing trip to North Carolina. You can fish with any of the high-speed lures or an offshore trolling boat to catch the best catch. There is no limit on recreational catch of wahoo. And as long as you're holding the appropriate commercial licenses, you'll have 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. Fishing is best when there is little or no current. 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 don't fear boats and prefer to fish just below the surface. This method is extremely popular in the Bahamas where artificials are pulled at speeds of up to twenty knots. Barracuda aren't a problem in the Carolinas. The ocean temperature increases, which means that the wahoo will also rise. For wahoo fishing, the waters are ideal and there are great conditions.
In the spring and fall, wahoo are the primary target. However, the timing of the winter to spring transition determines when other species will make an appearance. In the spring, yellowfin tuna used to be the main target, but this has changed in recent years. Although some do get caught, there are not many. The catch has been made even more rewarding by this. If you are interested in high-speed trolling techniques, you might want to read about five successful captains.
Ballyhoos
Ballyhoos are the best bait for catching wahoo. You can either freeze or freshen the bait and retrieve it with a trolling J-hook. The hook itself should be positioned so that the wire pin is in line with the fish's nostrils. Ballyhoos work well for both seafloor and surface fishing.
Wahoos typically hang out in the deeper water column, but they can be found even on the sand and in the water. To attract wahoo strikes to your ballyhoo, you should choose a dark-colored ballyhoo. They are extremely aggressive and can move at lightning speed. Ballyhoos are also very effective at luring different types of fish.
Ballyhoos are one of the most effective wahoo luring devices in the waters around North Carolina. Ballyhoos comes in many different colors and textures. If fished correctly, a Ballyhoo will catch wahoo from its native waters. Ballyhoos are also excellent 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.
One-strand coffee-colored stainless wire wire leaders will work well when fishing for wahoo. The leader should be equipped with a bridle. Planers come in three to sixteen sizes, and rigging is important for success. Capt. Weaver also points out that wahoo is a common target. You can target wahoo by rigging a planer using a bridle.
High-speed lures
A variety of high-speed trolling lures are ideal for targeting wahoo. These high-speed lures can be pulled with an inline trolling weight and placed on a downrigger or planer. Particularly effective when targeting large tuna or wahoo, dark colors work well. These lures are durable and can be used for many 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. This is the average transiting lure's speed in two to four feet waves. You should therefore use heavy lures that have quality drag. To ensure maximum success, you should gaff the fish with two people.
The lip plug is one of the most popular high-speed lures. 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 is also less likely to bend and kink, so it can run straighter. You can also use a clip to make changing lures more simple.
Floating debris
Floating debris is a great place to target this trophy fish. Whajoo like to be found in bottom formations that are aggressive, such as wrecks or ledges. These structures create the perfect habitat environment for wahoos who like to stack up beneath these items. Floating debris is another great location to target this fish, as it often works well under these obstacles. Floating debris may also be a good way to spot these majestic fish schools.
Before looking for schools of wahoo, the fisherman needs to first examine any floating debris in the area. If there is no baitfish or dolphins, the fisherman should let it go. He must also use a fast-retrieve reel with a 6-to-1 gear ratio to reach the wahoo. 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 do not work - the hooks on the top are for assistance.
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. The temperature of the water surface drops, which means that the fish population moves to these areas more often. During this time, the fishing is the best in these areas.
Structure
A few exceptions may exist in the Gulf of Mexico. Wahoo travel in migratory routes. 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. 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. Captains help anglers fish a wahoo by shifting the boat into and out of gear.
Whalos are aggressive bottom forms and love to hang around wrecks, ledges, or other weed lines. They are more likely to take fast-moving baits. In North Carolina, they often linger near weedlines and debris. This means that they are more likely to strike a weedline or an 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. 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. For example, you can try trolling around offshore humps or wrecks to find a few wahoo.
Peak times are for food
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. These peak times are best when you trolling at a high or normal speed. A boat capable of handling this extra speed will allow you to catch a wahoo.
Summer is the best time to fish for wahoo. The best places to catch these fish are on the ledges and structures between Jupiter's and Stuart inlets. Wahoos average around 25 pounds in weight, with 50-pounders not uncommon. During prime time you will be able catch both a large and a smaller wahoo.
The best time to hunt wahoo is between October and March. This is because the water temperature stays cool, making it more likely that wahoo will 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. For big fish, however you might want to try fishing in late April and/or early May.
FAQ
How big is my tackle box?
A large tackle chest is required to keep all your fishing gear. Tackle boxes range in size depending on the number of items stored inside.
What is the correct length fishing rod?
The type of fish that you are trying to catch is a key factor in the length and style of your fishing rod. A 6'6" rod is ideal if you are targeting smallmouth bass. If you want to catch largemouth bass, however, a 7’5" rod might be more suitable.
What gear is necessary for fishing?
A rod, reel, line, hooks, bait, tackle box, and some snacks. A cast is essential if you want to catch fish. You also need to know how to rig a hook. Most importantly, you must be patient and wait until the right moment to strike!
Statistics
- You likely have a fish hooked if the bobber moves erratically for over 5 seconds. (tailoredtackle.com)
- It is estimated there are at least 2 million people who go fishing in California each year. (californiayachtsales.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)
- 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)
External Links
How To
Why use a spinning arrow?
The spinning rod is useful when you need to throw your lure in the water and not have to get out of the boat. If you don’t have the time or desire to get back in your boat quickly after each cast, it’s a great choice. The spinning rod allows you to cast from any angle and still have control over your line. The rod consists of three main components: the handle and the reel seat. The handle is used to hold the rod, and the shaft. The butt section is where you attach the rod's tip to the hook. 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 can be used in a variety ways, such as fly fishing and spin fishing.
The type of fish you intend to catch will determine the type of rod that you choose. For example, if you intend to catch large predatory species like pike or bass, you'll need a heavy-duty fishing rod. A lighter-weight rod might work best if you were targeting smaller species like trout or salmon. You could even purchase multiple rod sizes depending upon how big you plan to catch the fish.
Spinning Rods aren't limited to freshwater fisherman. They are used extensively for saltwater fishing. Saltwater spinning rods weigh more than their freshwater counterparts, as they need stronger materials to withstand saltwater's harsh conditions. In addition, saltwater spinners usually feature a larger diameter rod with a shorter length. This allows them to cast further distances. There are downsides to saltwater spinning rods. First, saltwater spinning rods do not come with reels like freshwater ones. You must buy one individually. The second reason is that they can be quite expensive. A spinning rod is worth your consideration if you enjoy catching larger fish.
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. The lure will move in a erratic manner, making it hard for fish to recognize the lure. Fish may also mistakenly eat the lure for food, and begin to feed on it. As a result, the lure will attract more fish to it. 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.