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. 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. Clear, calm water and little current are the best conditions for fishing. A standard bait for offshore trolling is a ballyhoo in its plain form. Several other lures are also popular, including cedar plugs, Green Machines, and Wahoo Whackers.
Whajoo have no fear of boats and prefer baits caught just below water's surface. This technique is very popular in the Bahamas, where boats are pulling artificials at speeds up to twenty knots. Barracuda aren't a problem in the Carolinas. The ocean temperature increases, which means that the wahoo will also rise. The conditions for fishing and the temperatures in the water are perfect for wahoo.
In spring and fall, wahoo will be the main target. However, the timing of the winter to spring transition determines when other species will make an appearance. Yellowfin tuna has been the top target for spring fish in the past. However, in recent years they have been absent. While there are some caught, they are few. The catch has been made even more rewarding by this. 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, the best bait, are ideal for catching 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 have a great reputation for seafloor and surface fishing.
Wahoos are most likely to be found in the deeper water column. However, they can also be found on the sand and in water. Ballyhoos should be of a dark color to attract strikes from wahoo. They can run at incredible speeds and are very aggressive. Ballyhoos are also very effective at luring different types of fish.
Ballyhoos, the most effective wahoo baits in North Carolina waters, are best. Ballyhoos can be found in a wide range of colors and textures. A ballyhoo is capable of catching wahoo in the waters it inhabits if fished correctly. Ballyhoos are also excellent bait for wahoo. You should invest in a hard lure if you have a planer rod such as a Yozuri Bonita, or a Braid Marauder. 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. The leader should be equipped with a bridle. The sizes of planers range from three to sixteen, and the importance of rigging for success is paramount. Capt. Weaver also noted that wahoo are a common target. If you plan to target wahoo, you can rig a planer with an aide and a bridle to help you locate the sweet spot.
High-speed lures
You can target wahoo with a variety high-speed trolling baits. These high-speed lures may be pulled with an inner trolling weight and put on a downrigger. If you are targeting large tuna or wahoos, dark colors work best. These lures are durable and can be used for many fish. Other manufacturers of high-speed trolling lures include MagBay and Nomad.
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. 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. Two people are required to gaff fish for maximum success.
The lip plug is a popular type of high-speed lure. These lures are often rigged in wire or cable. This method can lead to the lure breaking if it is bent. Therefore, multi-strand cables are recommended. 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
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 make the perfect habitat to wahoo because they tend to pile up beneath 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 is also a great way to find these magnificent fish in their schools.
Before trying to locate a school of Wahoo, a fisherman has to check for any floating debris that might contain dolphins. If there are no dolphins or other baitfish in the area, he should leave it alone. To reach the wahoo, he must use a fast-retrieve rod with a 6-to-1 ratio. A 4- to 6-ounce diamond jig, with a Mustad3407 hook of double strength is recommended. Jigs should be long enough to protect a 60-pound fluorocarbon leader and a float if the bait gets entangled in the debris. Butterfly-style Jigs are not recommended. They have help hooks at the tip.
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. Satellite imagery can monitor the temperature surface to determine if any slight changes will cause a higher level of Wahoo. As the temperature of the water surface decreases, the fish population is more likely to move to these areas. These areas are the best for fishing during this time.
Structure
It is possible that the structure of North Carolina's Wahoo fishing fleet may be an anomaly in the Gulf of Mexico. Wahoo travel in migratory routes. 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. 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 recommends heavy single strand wire and a strong 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 will often strike fast-moving baits. In North Carolina, they often linger near weedlines and debris. This means they are more likely strike a lure or weedline. They can even be caught at speeds exceeding ten knots.
Although the wahoo is a year-round species, the best fishing for it occurs from July through 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
There are many times in the year where wahoo fisherman are most successful, but there are specific peak times that you should be focusing on to get 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 time to fish for wahoo. These fish can be found on the ledges or structures between Jupiter and Stuart inlets. The average wahoo weights in at 25 to 25 pounds. However, there are often 50-pounders. This prime time is when you can catch both a large and smaller wahoo.
October to March is the best time to target wahoo. These months are cooler than normal, which makes wahoo more inclined to bite. May is a great time to light-tackle fish, even though the weather can change quickly. Blue-crystal is the best bait to catch wahoo if you plan a trip during this period. However, if you're looking for big fish, you can try fishing during late April and early May.
FAQ
What happens if I am caught illegally fishing?
You could face fines or jail time as well as losing your fishing permit. It's important to know the rules before you go fishing.
How big should my tackle box be?
Because you will need ample space to store your fishing gear, a large tackle box is essential. The size of your tackle box depends on the amount of items you store inside.
Which rod should i choose?
Graphite-fiberglass composite is the best choice for fly fishing. This material is strong, lightweight and has great casting properties. To cast better, you must practice with graphite rods.
How far should I go?
Cast your line as deep as possible. Keep your arm straight when casting a line. This will ensure that the line doesn’t twist.
Statistics
- 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)
- 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)
- It is estimated there are at least 2 million people who go fishing in California each year. (californiayachtsales.com)
External Links
How To
Why should you use a spinning rod?
Spinning Rods can be used to cast your lure directly into the water, without needing to leave 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. A spinning rod can be used to cast from any location and maintain control of your line. The rod has three main components; handle, butt section, and reel seat. The handle is the part that holds the rod in your hand and grips the shaft. The butt section is where you attach the rod's tip to the hook. Finally, the reel seat holds the reel onto which the line is attached. There are many options for rods. Some rods are made for fishing specific techniques, like trolling or casting. Others can be used for a variety of purposes, such as fly fishing, spin-fishing, and bait fishing.
The type of fish that will be caught determines the type and size of the rod. If you want to target large predatory species, such as bass and pike, then you will need a heavier-duty rod. If you are targeting smaller species, such as trout and salmon, a lighter-weight rod may be more effective. You could even consider buying multiple rod sizes, depending on how large the fish you are trying to catch.
Spinning Rods don't have to be limited to freshwater fishing. They can also be used for saltwater fishing. Saltwater spinning reels are typically heavier than freshwater rods. This is because saltwater requires stronger materials to withstand saltwater. In addition, saltwater spinners usually feature a larger diameter rod with a shorter length. This allows them to cast farther distances. There are downsides to saltwater spinning rods. First, unlike freshwater spinning rods, saltwater ones do not come with reels. Instead, you will have to buy one separately. They can also be very expensive. If you love catching bigger fish, then a spinning rod may be something to consider.
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. This causes the lure to move erratically in the water, making it difficult for fish to detect the lure. Fish might also mistake the lure as food and start eating it. The lure will therefore attract more fish. The line attached the lure can then be reeled by the fisherman. Once the lure has been retrieved, he can repeat this process until the desired number of fish has been caught.