Known as a favorite by-catch to big game anglers, Wahoo are slightly overlooked in favor of the other hard-fighting fish they share their stomping grounds with. Don’t let this fool you, though. These predatory, sharp-fanged fish are real powerhouses. They’re able to grow up to 8 feet long and are capable of scorching runs that can reel off hundreds of yards of line within seconds. Yep, it’s easy to see why Wahoo fishing is pretty legendary in its own right!
Another string to add to the Wahoo’s bow is that these fish can be found in plenty of locations. They love warm, temperate waters. This means they live throughout the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean and Mediterranean Seas. That makes experiencing the fast-paced thrills these beasts offer up a year-round affair.
They’re also a fantastic eating fish, with a smoky, delicate taste often compared to Mackerel. In fact, the Hawaiian name for Wahoo, “Ono,” literally means “good to eat.” Hard-fighting action that results in seriously tasty table fare? Pretty irresistible. Let’s dive in and find out more about this fantastic fish, including the most important questions of all – where and how can you catch yourself one?!
Top Wahoo Fishing Locations
As we mentioned, this fish can be found in an impressive variety of waters. From the coastlines of Florida to the islands of the Caribbean, there are plenty of locations where you can hook these streamlined speedsters. They inhabit the epipelagic zone of tropical and subtropical waters, which reaches from the top of the ocean to 650 feet below the surface.
Below, we’ve highlighted some of the most prolific spots around the world. These are by no means the only places you can catch this species, but one thing’s for sure. Visit one of these locales, and you’ll be in with a pretty good chance at a Wahoo battle!
Wahoo Fishing in the USA
Boasting access to the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, as well as the Gulf of Mexico, it’s no surprise that the USA provides ample Wahoo fishing opportunities. Here are some of our favorite hotspots…
- 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. November through February is especially bountiful, as this is when they move in closer to the area’s many reefs.
- Miami, Florida: You’ll find Wahoo all along Florida’s Atlantic Coast, especially the further south you go. Miami is a particularly fish-filled location. This bustling cityscape provides direct access to the Gulf Stream, a deep channel of water that lies a mere 3 miles from shore. These warm waters are a Wahoo haven! Although you’ll find this species here year-round, the best angling action usually takes place from early spring into late summer.
- Venice, Louisiana: Known for its abundance of deep waters and offshore oil rigs, it’s no surprise that Venice is a Wahoo fishing hotspot. It provides an oasis of structure that these fish love to flock to! Even better, they live here year-round, sticking close to deep water rigs and structure anywhere from 10–30 miles from shore. The hottest times to cast your line, however, are generally from January through March.
- Oahu, Hawaii: Hawaii’s third-largest island is also the most populated one – and we’re not just talking about on land! The waters that surround it are jam-packed with plenty of Wahoo, or “Ono” as they’re locally known. Although they’re here year-round, the angling action really heats up between March and September.
Wahoo Fishing in Mexico
With the Gulf of Mexico to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west, Mexico is surrounded by Wahoo-filled waters. The weather is beautiful, there’s angling action aplenty, and if you choose the right location, you could be battling Wahoo just a few miles from shore. What’s not to love?
- Cabo San Lucas: Located on the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula, Cabo boasts access to the Pacific’s deep waters just a stone’s throw from shore. You can hop on a boat for a few hours and easily reach the Wahoo hotspots! These species are especially plentiful during the summer and fall months. You can catch some rays as well as (hopefully!) some pretty big fish.
- Cancún: Cancún is perfectly positioned at the meeting point of the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. The magic of fishing here is that you can cast a line for big game species as soon as you depart from the dock. The waters reach Wahoo-friendly depths almost immediately! March through June are the peak seasons for these fish.
Wahoo Fishing around the Caribbean Islands
With more water than land, it’s easy to see why this region is a sportfishing mecca. The Caribbean Archipelago is made up of over 7,000 islands, but don’t let that overwhelm you. There are a few places that stand out when it comes to excellent Wahoo fishing action…
- Bahamas: Surrounded by deep, reef-packed waters, the Bahamas attracts huge numbers of Wahoo. November through March sees huge migrations of fish, making these months the prime time to target them. Nassau is an especially popular departure point, thanks to a large number of charters on offer. Bimini, in the “West End,” is popular with Floridian anglers, as it’s within a 50-mile radius of Miami.
- Barbados: As well as being a picture-perfect vacation destination, Barbados also boasts Wahoo-worthy deep waters within swimming distance from shore. This means you can fish for a couple of hours and still experience some excellent big game angling action! And if you’re looking for something a little more unique, you can even opt to spearfish for your Wahoo – it’s something of a local tradition.
- Aruba: Located off the coast of Venezuela, this tiny island holds gigantic Wahoo fishing opportunities. The waters here get seriously deep as close to 2 miles from shore, meaning that you can start trolling for your target almost immediately. Although fishing is excellent year-round, plan your visit between March–September for optimal results.
- Roatan: One of Honduras’ Bay Islands, Roatan is the kind of place that most people don’t even know exists – unless they’re into excellent sportfishing action, of course! The waters around this tiny island reach depths of 1,000 feet just 5 miles from shore, meaning a bluewater battle is in the cards. Even better, Wahoo inhabit these waters in large numbers year-round.
Wahoo Fishing in Australia
Last on our list when it comes to top Wahoo fishing spots is the Land Down Under. It’s a bit of a departure from our other locations, but this country is surrounded by the warm waters of the Southern, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. There’s also the Great Barrier Reef, as well as plenty of other underwater structure. Combined, these make for the perfect Wahoo habitat.
- Queensland: Australia’s very own “Sunshine State” has more in common with Florida than just a nickname. It’s also an excellent sportfishing destination. It provides access to the Coral Sea, one of the Pacific Ocean’s marginal seas, and large numbers of Wahoo flock here, especially around the southeastern part of the state. Cairns and Gold Coast are popular departure points, especially between December–April.
- Western Australia: Providing access to the deep blue waters of the Indian Ocean, Western Australia boasts plenty of Wahoo fishing opportunities. This state is the largest in Australia, so to narrow it down slightly, focus your attention around the Rowley Shoals, located off the northwestern coast. Towns such as Exmouth, on the North West Cape, provide ample Wahoo action, too.
How to Fish For Wahoo
These fish are solitary creatures that prefer to either travel alone or swim in tiny schools of two–three fish. Because of this, a huge part of the excitement when it comes to Wahoo fishing is locating your target. Once you’ve got your fish in your sights, there’s a whole variety of ways to reel ’em in.
One thing goes without saying, though – you’ll need a boat! Thankfully, you’ll find a whole host of Wahoo fishing charters no matter where you choose to fish. Now, on to our favorite techniques…
Trolling
There’s one technique that stands head and shoulders above the rest when it comes to Wahoo fishing. We’re talking about trolling, of course! These fish are known and loved for their immense speed, and this technique allows you to go head-to-head with them. It’s also pretty universal, so you’ll be able to implement it no matter where you’re fishing.
There’s a variety of lures and baits out there that will have Wahoo biting. When it comes to live bait, you can use anything from mackerel, to ballyhoo, to mullet, either cut, stripped, or chunked. If you’re more in favor of lures, there are plenty of choices. You’ll basically want to implement anything that can troll quickly and is brightly colored, such as plugs or specific high-speed Wahoo-trolling artificials.
The set-up is what really counts here. Grab yourself a six-lure spread, which allows you to set your lures at specific distances and cover more ground at the same time. Local anglers recommend setting your lures anywhere from 150–350 feet out on the port side and 350–450 feet out on the starboard side of your vessel, with varying distances dotted in between these limits. When it comes to tackle, a standard 100 lb braided line will do the job.
You’ll generally want to cruise your chosen fishery at a minimum of 10 knots, with the ideal speed being 15 knots, in order to match their fast runs. As Wahoo lurk beneath the surface of the water, speed isn’t all that matters. You’ll also want to stagger the depths of your lures. We’d recommend using downriggers to reach depths of around 20–30 feet for a pair of your lines, and place the rest at 5–15 feet down using heavy jet-heads or weights.
Jigging
It’s not all about trolling, though. If you’re looking to really plumb the depths of the waters that Wahoo lurk in, you can also jig for these fish. Vertical jigging is a technique that’s becoming more and more popular with deep sea fishermen, especially those looking to save on fuel costs. It’s also commonly used in locations that boast a large number of underwater structure, such as around Louisiana’s oil rigs.
One thing to know about vertical jigging for big game species, such as Wahoo, is that it can be quite a workout! It’s normal to come home with sore arms, and is definitely an exercise in patience and endurance. But hey, doesn’t that just make hooking a huge ‘Hoo in this way even sweeter?
The first step to a successful day of jigging for Wahoo is picking the right location. You’ll want to focus your attention around underwater structure in waters at least 200 feet deep. Oil rigs and the shelves along the Gulf of Mexico’s continental shelf are especially suited to this type of fishing.
Then, you’ll want to pair a high-speed fishing reel capable of at least 40 inches per “crank” with a 7–8′ stiff action jigging rod and any metal jig. From there, implement a “rod up, handle down” pattern, and wait for the hit of your Wahoo!
Wahoo Fishing: An Unforgettable, Fast-Paced Battle!
Remember we mentioned how big game anglers like to call these fish their favorite by-catch? That’s not all. They also like to say that this species’ name comes from the exclamation made when one is hooked: “Wahoo!” We couldn’t agree more. It’s time for the spotlight to be shone on going head-to-head with this fish. The result? An exciting, fast-paced adventure that you won’t soon forget. Come discover the thrills of Wahoo fishing for yourself!
Have you ever been Wahoo fishing? Where did you go? Any tips or tricks to share with us? Let us know in the comments below. We love hearing from you!
