Here are some tips to make your trip more enjoyable if you want to try wahoo-fishing in North Carolina. Whether you're fishing from an offshore trolling boat or using one of the many high-speed lures, the following information will help you find the best catch. 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. The first signs of wahoo are seen in the waters close to Morehead City around mid to late august. Clear, calm water and little current are the best conditions for fishing. For offshore trolling, the best bait is a simple ballyhoo. Several other lures are also popular, including cedar plugs, Green Machines, and Wahoo Whackers.
Whajoo don't fear boats and prefer to fish just below the surface. This technique is very popular in the Bahamas, where boats are pulling artificials at speeds up to twenty knots. However, in the Carolinas, Barracuda are not a problem. As the ocean temperature rises, so do the wahoo. The water temperature and conditions for fishing are ideal for wahoo.
In spring and summer, wahoo is the primary target. Other species may appear depending on the time of the winter-spring transition. 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. This has made the catch more satisfying. However, if you're interested in a high-speed trolling technique, you may want to learn more about the tactics of five accomplished captains.
Ballyhoos
Ballyhoos is the best bait to catch wahoo. The bait can be frozen, fresh or frozen and should be retrieved using a trolling size J hook. The hook must be placed in a way that the wire pin touches the fish's nostrils. Ballyhoos make great surface and seafloor fisherman.
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 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 make great 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. The leader should be equipped with a bridle. 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
You can target wahoo with a variety high-speed trolling baits. These lures can be pulled using an inline trolling weight, and then placed on a planer or downrigger. For big tuna and wahoo, the dark colors work well. They are also very durable and will continue to run even after they catch a lot of fish. Other manufacturers of high-speed trolling lures include MagBay and Nomad.
These fish will love trolling lures that are fast and can quickly get to the right spot. Wahoo can travel at 60 mph, while strike lures travel 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. To maximize your chances of success, it is recommended that you gaff the fish two times.
The lip plug is a popular type of high-speed lure. These lures can be rigged using 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. 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 fish is great for targeting from floating debris. Whajoo like to be found in bottom formations that are aggressive, such as wrecks or ledges. These structures offer the perfect habitat for wahoos, who often pile up under 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 can help you locate schools of these majestic fish.
Before trying to locate a school of Wahoo, a fisherman has to check for any floating debris that might contain dolphins. He should not attempt to fish in areas that aren't home to baitfish or dolphins. 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, 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.
During the cooler months, the water surface temperature is cooler, increasing the odds of finding a Wahoo. 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. 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
The structure of North Carolina's wahoo fishing may be unusual in the Gulf of Mexico. Wahoo tend to travel in migratory patterns. They may travel through the Atlantic in a series of regions, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. Then they will move on to the Western Atlantic. This is determined by the currents and the water temperature.
Whalos are structure-oriented in the fall, which means that they frequent inshore lumps and drops in 120 feet of water. These huge fish are famous for their razor-sharp teeth. 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 aggressive bottom forms and love to hang around wrecks, ledges, or other weed lines. They are more likely to take 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 even be caught at speeds exceeding ten knots.
The best fishing season for the wahoo can be found from July to September. These fish prefer warmer Gulf Stream waters, and if you are looking for a good place to target them, the structure of wahoo fishing in North Carolina will give you plenty of options. To find a few wahoo, trolling offshore wrecks or humps is a good option.
Peak feeding times
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 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 season for wahoo fishing. The best places to catch these fish are on the ledges and structures between Jupiter's and Stuart inlets. A wahoo is about 25 pounds on average, but there are 50-pounders available. During this prime time, you'll be able to catch both a large wahoo and a smaller one.
October to March is the best time to target wahoo. Because the water is cool, wahoo are more likely to bite during these months. While the weather in May can be unpredictable, this is generally the best time for light-tackle fishing. Blue-crystal will be the best bait if you go on a fishing trip during this time. If you are looking for large fish, however, fishing can be done in late April or early May.
FAQ
Where can I look for good fishing guides
A wide range of services are offered by fishing guides. These guides can give advice on the best places to catch fish, offer tips on how to catch specific types of fish, or even show you how different types of fishing equipment works.
How much is basic fishing gear?
Basic fishing equipment starts at $100-$200, including rod/reel and bait combos, as well as tackle boxes and bait. For a larger boat, you will need to pay between $500 and $1,000.
When fishing, how far from shore should you stand?
You are more likely to catch fish the further you stand from shore. However, this also increases the chances of getting wet.
Statistics
- About 40 percent of all fish are freshwater species. (takemefishing.org)
- Coarse fishing is 100% catch and release these days. (linesonthewater.anglingtrust.net)
- 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)
- It is estimated there are at least 2 million people who go fishing in California each year. (californiayachtsales.com)
External Links
How To
How to Tie a Fishing Lure Like a Pro
Here are the steps to make simple fishing lures in different colors and materials.
Step 1: Cut 2 pieces of twine approximately 3/4 inches in width.
Step 2: Cut one end of the twine in half.
Step 3: Twist the ends together.
Step 4: Wrap the ends of the twine around the first twine piece so that the knot is inside the loop.
Step 5: Close the loop.
Step 6 Repeat step 4.
Step 7 Use a needle/pin to secure your knot.
Step 8 Trim excess twine.