If you're looking to try your hand at wahoo fishing in North Carolina, here are some tips to make the most of your trip. The following information will help to find the best catch, no matter if you are fishing from an offshore trolling vessel or using high-speed lures. You don't have to catch a wahoo recreationally. It's easy to land a trophy fish if you hold the correct commercial licenses.
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. Clear water with little to no current is the best for fishing. For offshore trolling, the best bait is a simple ballyhoo. You can also use cedar plugs or Green Machines as lures.
Whajoo have no fear of boats and prefer baits caught just below water's 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. Wahoo also increases in temperature as the ocean heats up. For wahoo fishing, the waters are ideal and there are great conditions.
In spring and summer, wahoo is the primary target. The transition from winter into spring will determine when other species will appear. Yellowfin tuna was the most sought-after species in spring in the past, but they have been absent in recent years. Although some fish are caught, their numbers are very low. This has made the catch even more rewarding. 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, the best bait, are ideal for catching wahoo. The bait can be frozen or fresh and is best retrieved with 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, ballyhoos should have a dark colored body. They are extremely aggressive and can move at lightning speed. Ballyhoos are also effective in luring other types of 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. When fished correctly, a ballyhoo can catch wahoo in its native waters. Ballyhoos are also excellent bait for wahoo. You will need a hard lure such as a Yozuri Bonita and a Braid Marauder if your planer rod has one. You can find them in many colors including pink/black or purple/black.
When fishing for wahoo, a single-strand coffee-colored stainless steel wire leader will work well. A bridle should be attached on the leader. Planers come in a variety of sizes and rigging can be crucial to their success. Capt. Weaver also points out that wahoo is 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
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. For big tuna and wahoo, the dark colors work well. These lures are strong and durable, so they can keep going even after you catch many fish. MagBay, Nomad and Nomad are other manufacturers of high-speed trolling baits.
These fish will love trolling lures that are fast and can quickly get to the right spot. Wahoo can reach speeds of 60mph and strike lures traveling at 18 mph. 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 ensure maximum success, you should gaff the fish with two people.
The lip-plug is one of most popular types of high speed lures. These lures can be rigged using 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. The wire will also be less likely bend and kink so it can run straighter. To make it easier to change lures, you can use a clip.
Floating debris
This is a great area to hunt 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 can also help you find the schools of these majestic fish.
Before searching for a school, a fisherman should first inspect the floating debris for signs of dolphins. If there are no dolphins or other baitfish in the area, he should leave it alone. He must also use a fast-retrieve reel with a 6-to-1 gear ratio to reach the wahoo. A 4 to six-ounce diamond jig with a double-strength Mustad 3407 hook is recommended. You should make sure that the Jigs are long enough to protect a 60-pound fluorocarbon Leader and a float from getting entangled in debris. Jigs should not be Butterfly-style - they have assist hooks at the top.
Water surface temperatures are cooler in cooler months. This increases the chance of finding a Wahoo. This species prefers cooler water and areas with 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. During this time, the fishing is the best in these areas.
Structure
The structure of North Carolina's wahoo fishing may be unusual in the Gulf of Mexico. Wahoo are known to migrate 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. This is determined by the currents and the water temperature.
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 using heavy single-stranded wire and a long-handled rod to catch 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 formations and like to hang around pronounced ledges, wrecks, and other weed lines. They like to strike fast moving baits. They will often remain near weedlines and trash in North Carolina. This means that they are more likely to strike a weedline or an artificial lure. They can be caught at speeds of up 10 knots.
The best time to catch wahoo is from July through September. These fish prefer warmer Gulf Stream temperatures, and North Carolina has a lot of options for wahoo fishermen looking to find them. You can trolling around wrecks and offshore humps to catch a few wahoo.
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. For example, the three days immediately before and after the Full Moon, and the New Moon are prime times for wahoo fishing. During these peak times, you should trolling at either a moderate or high speed. A boat capable of handling this extra speed will allow you to catch a wahoo.
Summer is the best period to fish for wahoo. These fish can be found on the ledges or structures between Jupiter and Stuart inlets. The average wahoo weighs around 25 pounds, but 50-pounders are not uncommon. You can catch both large and small wahoos during this time.
From October to March, wahoo are most at their best. These months see a cooler water temperature, making wahoo easier to catch. Although May weather can be unpredictable, it is usually the best month for light-tackle fishing. Blue-crystal is the best bait for wahoo fishing if you are planning a trip. However, if you're looking for big fish, you can try fishing during late April and early May.
FAQ
How long does it take to become an expert fisherman?
Expert fishermanship takes practice over many years. Being a successful fisherman will require you to master new techniques and enhance your skills.
Is it safe to eat fish caught by someone else?
Always check with the seller to see if there is a freshness date. If there is no expiration date on the fish, it is probably safe to eat. But if the fish looks old or smells bad, then you shouldn't eat it.
How can I tell if my lures are working?
You should watch out for movement in your lure when it is thrown into the water. If you observe movement, your lure may be working properly.
Statistics
External Links
How To
The Best Fishing Spot
It is important to know the type of fish that you are looking for in order to find the best spots for fishing. You need to decide if you want deep sea fishing, or shallow water fishing. Deep sea fishing requires a boat. This is expensive. Shallow water fishing requires no boat and can be done from shore. Shallow water fishing is the best option if you want to catch trout. If you want to catch barracuda however, you will need to go deeper.
There are many different types of fishing spots, depending on your preferences. Some places only offer one type, while others offer multiple options. For instance, some locations are known for their bass fish fishing and others for fly fishing. Other locations are famous for their shark fishing and crabbing.
The best way to figure out where to go depends on your budget, how long you plan to stay, and what you like doing. Do you enjoy camping? If so, you might be interested in a spot near a lake. Do you prefer the city? You might prefer the beach. You might also enjoy scuba diving or kayaking.
You can always ask someone who is knowledgeable about fishing if you don't have a lot of knowledge. They could tell you about all kinds of things, including where to go.
You could also try searching online for "fishing spots close to me." This will give you many options. It would be fantastic if you could narrow down the choices by reviewing ratings and reviews. There are plenty of websites that allow you to do this.
Once you have selected a location to visit, it is important that you actually go there. Sometimes it takes longer to get there than anticipated. Also, make sure you bring everything you think you'll need. Also, don't forget to pack your tackle box, bait, as well as sunscreen.
Research the weather conditions at your fishing spot is also an excellent idea. Check the forecast and see when the best times are to go. Changes in the weather can cause you to alter your plans.
Now that you know where to go, you can start planning your trip. Next, decide what fish you want to catch.