Ocean Fishing

Wahoofishing – Choosing the Right Lures

By David McKinney 9 December, 2022 7 mins read

If you're interested in trying your hand at wahoo fishing, you may be wondering about the different techniques and lures you can use to catch these huge fish. This article will teach you about the various habitats and temperatures of these giant fish, as we also discuss different methods to catch them. This information will help you select the best lures to use for catching trophy-sized Wahoos.

Water temperature

The water temperature will be crucial for wahoo when they move offshore to get their food. While structure is crucial, the water temperature also plays a significant role. In winter, the Gulf Stream temperatures average around 78°F. Wahoo move across the coast to seek warm water from the mid 70s. They'll find abundant food. Wahoo are highly mobile and can travel great distances for food.

In the Northeast, the water temperature is warmest. Although bait fishing is less efficient, it's still possible to jig in unbroken areas. In 2008, I caught five Wahoo on an A47 Diamond Jig. Another structure worth looking for is offshore buoys. Trolling is another method that can pay big rewards in New England waters. However, the key to catching the wahoo in New England waters is to find the right temperature.

In a half-mile stretch, the temperatures can vary between twenty-two and thirty-two degrees. In ideal conditions, the temperature gradient would be between six to seven degrees. If the temperature gradient is lower, wahoo may be less attracted. Wahoo can be caught in lower temperatures than the average temperature, but they are still quite common in certain areas. However, to catch the fish, you'll need to be patient.

Wahoo can be found in the northern Atlantic all year, but the ideal water temperature for wahoo fishing is between seventy to eighty degrees. Although wahoo can be caught in water temperatures as low at 68 degrees, it has been documented that they will eat more when the weather is cold or rough. These fish are still available in Georgia blue water all year, despite the fluctuating temperatures.

Habitats

Wahoo have a wide range of habitats but remain concentrated in one area. The fish spend most of their time above the thermocline in the epipelagic zone. The epipelagic area is the topmost layer of ocean waters where waves, wind, and other natural forces interact constantly. It is home to temperatures ranging from 600 to 860°F. Because of this, wahoo are frequently caught as bycatch in commercial fisheries.

The warmer tropical waters of the globe are home to the wahoo. They are quite independent by nature and tend to gather at larger schools during mating season. They also spawn in broadcast mode, broadcasting their sperm and eggs into water to increase fertilization. They will spawn many times throughout the season, producing millions of gametes each year. The wahoo achieves sexual maturity in its first year.

The Bahamas boasts great water clarity and deep coral reefs, which attract large numbers of Wahoo. November to March are the best months to hunt wahoos in Bahamas. Charters are plentiful and the destination has a good selection of accommodations. Bimini, which is located just 50 miles north of Miami, is very popular with Florida anglers. You may find wahoo fishing more enjoyable in certain waters.

Broadcast spawning is how Wahoo fish reproduce. This means that both males and females release eggs simultaneously. This increases fertilization rates and reduces the risk of the eggs becoming contaminated. These fish can reproduce multiple times throughout the year, particularly in warm waters near the Gulf of Mexico or the Caribbean. They produce millions of eggs annually, and they can grow to three to five feet. The longest known specimen was 8 feet 2 inches.

Techniques

There are many techniques you can use to troll fish for wahoo. You can use live bait, such as ballyhoo, mullet, or mackerel. While lures can be made out of many materials, they must be fast-trolling. Plugs and high-speed Wahoo trolling artificials are two examples of lures. Choose a lure with a fast troll speed and bright color.

Try to keep your trolling speed high when trolling for wahoo. This will help attract them. Even though a slow trolling speed can catch smaller fish in offshore waters, vertical jigging will be the most effective way to catch wahoo. Also, don't drag the lure to fast when casting it. Always retrieve the fish as soon possible.

You should trolling for Wahoo at a speed of 12-14 knots. Trolling for wahoo requires that the line be bent slightly and the tip of your hook not pointed directly at the fish. The bend of your rod tip will absorb the shock from a shakey Wahoo. This will increase your chances of hooking it. You should circle at least twice for the fish to land on the hook after it has struck.

Once the boat has settled down, slowly pull the line. While trolling, never let the boat drift out of gear, as this is the biggest mistake. Otherwise, the Wahoo could jump to your boat and shake violently. When it reaches the boat make sure you keep it in gear. Trolling for wahoo is easier with a tighter line.

Lure selection

When choosing a lure to use on a wahoo fishing trip, there are many things you should consider. First, determine the correct running depth of your lure. The length of the lure, the trolling speed, and thickness of the fishing line will all play a role in this. The best colors to use are hot pink, bonito, dorado, and silver. A heavy-duty lure, such as the Iland Ilander, is recommended. It weighs in at 4.5 ounces. It is often cast over a long rubber skirt with double hook rig.

You can also use a vibration lure. This type of lure is tough and fairly inexpensive. Vibration lures should be a necessity because wahoo are aggressive, and can bite at different trolling speeds. These lures are very durable and can be used for fishing in many conditions. These lures are tough and economical, yet they are also easy to use in a wide range of fishing situations.

Although wahoo tend to be solitary fish, fishermen have found schools of them, which can prove difficult to catch. Regardless of whether wahoo are solitary or in a group, they prefer active bait that they can follow to the surface. These fish will often shadow larger floating objects and school up. For wahoo fishing, a live bait kingfish rod should be used. The wire leader should have a length of no. 6, with a length of 2 feet.

A color choice is also an important consideration when choosing a wahoo fishing lure. While the fish prefer to feed on the surface during summer, soft plastic frogs are best suited for spawning. They prefer dark colors to light colors. You should consider color contrast and water transparency when selecting wahoo fisherman lures. This will ensure that you don't get discouraged by the temptation to throw away a great wahoo fish lure.

How to identify a wahoo

It's easy to identify the wahoo when you're fishing, once you have a basic understanding of its characteristics. Wahoos can be among the fastest species of fish in the ocean. Their long, slim bodies are complemented by a beautiful, deep blue body. Their teeth are strong, long and sturdy. Their tail is straight. Their head is a deep, brilliantly silver color. It often has three stripes, tiger stripes or silver and blue. They sometimes join their tails. Sometimes, however, the wahoo might not have one or both of its stripes.

Wahoos can be found all over the globe and can live in warm water up to 16 feet (14.6 meters). Wahoos, which are pelagic fish live in the water column from the surface to the deep, are called pelagic fish. Wahoos may live in large schools with up to 100 other fish, but they can hunt on their own when they are over 50 pounds. Fishing with wahoos can be done using a variety tools, regardless of their size.

You can identify a wahoo by its sound when it is hooked. The wahoo's body looks similar to a King Mackerel but is more long and narrower. It is a brightly colored fish, with a long pointed dorsal end fin and a silver belly. Wahoos are one of the fastest fish in the ocean, and can weigh up to 75 pounds! It is easy to identify a Wahoo while fishing if you are familiar with its characteristics and avoid accidentally hooking another species.

Wahoos can be a valuable sport fishing catch in many areas of the world. Wahoos are small but can reach good size making them popular for recreational fishery. They can be very fast on light tackle, and are well-known for their speed. Because of their high price, recreational sports fishermen sometimes sell their wahoo catch. Wahoo is a sought-after game fish. It is therefore important to understand the differences between different kinds of wahoo.

FAQ

Do you need a bobber to fish?

Yes. You use a bobber to prevent the bait from moving when you are fishing. There are two parts of a bobber, the float or the line. To cast a lure, attach the hook to one end of the line. Then, pull the rod out and release the line. The lure can sink in the water if the bobber isn't used.

How do I clean a fish?

There are many ways to clean a fish. You can remove the head, guts and fins. Then rinse the fish in cold water. Another option is for you to gut the fish. This involves removing the intestines from the fish and cleaning out the cavity. Finally, you may ask someone to clean the fish.

What is the best season to fish?

Early morning or late afternoon is the best time to fish. These times are when the fish are active and feeding.

Statistics

About 40 percent of all fish are freshwater species. (takemefishing.org)
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)
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)