“Troll the spoon on a planer about 50 feet down, around 8 or 9 knots,” McElveen says. He uses 50 feet of 80-pound monofilament between the planer and the spoon. “A snap swivel at the spoon helps keep wahoo from biting off, and also prevents the line from twisting as the spoon spins.”
What depth should I troll for wahoo?
Most will troll for wahoo in the 13-17 knot range, while others will pace around 20. The idea is to zig-zag from roughly 150-foot depth out to 500-feet essentially dragging your baits off the reef like a baitfish being flushed off the bank with the tide.
What lures do wahoo like?
Wahoo aren’t really fussy and will eat just about anything that comes along, although big minnow lures like Laser Pro 190s and high speed lures like the Max 190 and Max 130 bibless minnows will do the trick.
How fast should you troll for wahoo?
Wahoo (also called ono) can swim at least 60 mph, so trolling at 14, 16 and even 20 knots is now commonplace using techniques developed by Capt. Ron Schatman, winner of a dozen major Bahamas wahoo tournaments over five years.
How much drag do I need for wahoo?
The “general” rule is to set the reel’s drag to 1/3rd of the line’s breaking strength. So if the reel is spooled with 50lbs mono, set the drag for 15lbs for the fight.
Are wahoo fish hard to catch?
With speeds topping 60 miles per hour, you’ll know if you snagged a wahoo because your reel, quite literally, will be screaming. “There’s not much else that can pull line off the reel like a big wahoo,” Capt. George McElveen told Sport Fishing Magazine.
What tide is best for wahoo?
As Hunt explained, 200 to 400 feet is a good depth for wahoos on a low tide. But on the last of an incoming tide and the first of an outgoing tide, bait is congregated around inlets and gamefish will be where the food is. “You’re getting your flyers, your ballyhoos, and your bonitos are in there chasing them.
What color lures do wahoo like?
Luring Wahoo
Anglers will always choose lures when they’re going to target wahoo. The best lure colours to choose from are black and purple, black and red, blue and white and orange and black. Often black and purple is a very good choice as these colours resemble a squid.
What water temperature do wahoo like?
72F to 77F
Wahoo are found in water from 150 feet to 300 feet deep. They are found most often directly over ledges. Wahoo can be found in water with surface temperatures between 70F and 86F, but prefer 72F to 77F.
What bait do you use for trolling?
Skirted lures are more effective for chasing bigger fish, while soft plastics are better suited for trolling for smaller game. Spoons and plugs are versatile options, and they fall somewhere in the middle. For saltwater trolling, squid, ballyhoo, mullet, and mackerel are go-to baits for most anglers.
How fast should I troll?
The best trolling speed depends on several factors including the type of fish, water conditions and lure choice. In general, trolling speeds between 1.5 and 2.5 mph, as measured by GPS, are a good starting place for most species like walleye, trout and salmon.
How far behind the boat should I troll?
20 feet to 150 feet
Bait Position and Distance Behind Boat
Proper distance for most boats will be anywhere from 20 feet to 150 feet behind your boat. Whether you have inboard diesel or outboard gas engines, your power dictates the distance you troll your baits and lures.
Is wahoo a good fish to eat?
Wahoo is a great eating fish that can be cooked in a variety of ways. Because it has a meaty texture to it, it’s the perfect fish to grill but also tastes great baked or broiled. However it’s cooked, the most important thing to remember is to never overcook, it may be easy to do since it’s a lean meat.
Can you catch wahoo from the shore?
Wahoo can be caught from near-shore to offshore waters in the Northeast from July into October, as long as warm Gulf Stream waters are in the area.
How much line do you need for a wahoo?
Either fill the reel with the braided line, or start with a couple hundred feet of 60- to 100-pound mono, followed by 1,200 yards of 100-pound braid, joined to the backing with a uni-to-uni or loop-to-loop connection. 3. Fill the reel with 100-pound braid, wound on under pressure, and finish with a Bimini twist.
What size hooks for wahoo?
Hooks should be 7/0 to 10/0 depending on the size of your bait. Most of the trolling lures you are going to use will be rigged with ballyhoo. Choosing good ballyhoo will help with how long your baits will last.
Where is the best place to wahoo?
Key West, Florida: Looking for sheer numbers on your Wahoo fishing adventure? Florida’s southernmost point is the place to visit. Perfectly positioned at the meeting point of the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, you can target Wahoo in these deep waters year-round.
What is the most prized fish to catch?
Top 10 Saltwater Game Fish — Sportfishing Guide
- #1 Blue Marlin. The most sought-after prized game fish is the Blue Marlin.
- #2 Swordfish. Swordfish get their name from their mighty sword-like bill.
- #3 Tarpon.
- #4 Black Marlin.
- #5 Striped Marlin.
- #6 Mako Shark.
- #7 Sailfish.
- #8 Bluefin Tuna.
What is the rarest fish to catch?
The World’s Rarest Fish
- Devil’s Hole Pupfish. Location: Devil’s Hole, Death Valley National Park Nevada, USA.
- The Sakhalin Sturgeon.
- The Red Handfish.
- The Adriatic Sturgeon.
- The Tequila Splitfin.
- The Giant Sea Bass.
- Smalltooth Sawfish.
- European Sea Sturgeon.
Is it better to fish incoming or outgoing tide?
An incoming tide, or rising tide, is considered one of the best fishing tide times. Water that enters an estuary area from the ocean can have a lower temperature, contain more oxygen, and have better clarity than the water that exists in the estuary during low tide or slack water periods.
What moon phase is best for wahoo fishing?
the full moon
The day of the full moon is usually slower, with the best bite at mid-day.” Capt. Tony DiGiulian of Fort Lauderdale said that when the moon rises and sets during those days, as well as when the moon is directly overhead, can be the absolute best times to hook a wahoo.
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