On Key West Fishing Charters Shout WAHOO On Open Ocean Tours
Wahoo are long thin fish resembling mackerel except that they’re bigger and faster. The back is blue and the sides are silver with blue streaks running from back to belly. Wahoo are generally about 3 to 5 feet long and weigh from 20 to 75 pounds. The largest on record was over 8′ long and weighed about 180 lbs. Wahoo are one of the fastest fish in the ocean, rivaling the marlin. They can swim as high as 80 mph. They have razor sharp teeth and they’re mean. Wahoo can be found anywhere in tropical or sub-tropical waters, World wide. Having a very white meat, wahoo are among the extremely greatest tasting fish in the sea.
Wahoo are deep water predatory fish that travel far out in the ocean. They’re generally found 12 miles out or further. Wahoo come to the Gulf of Mexico to spawn around April, peak in June and are still rather plentiful until October. They’re surface hunters. Look for grass lines or debris or anything that can host bait fish. Look for frigate birds or signs of bait fish jumping out of the water. If you can find a drop off near a reef or find a wreck and then find floating debris around, that’s an excellent spot for wahoo as well as other fantastic game fish. If you’re fishing for wahoo you’re likely to find them in the same places that you’ll find mahi-mahi or tuna. You’ll fish for wahoo a little differently though simply because they’re so brutal and so fast.
Wahoo like live, fast moving bait fish. They’ll eat mackerel, ballyhoo, small jacks, herrings, flying fish, spiny boxfish, butterfish, pilchers and squid. They’ll even go after bonito and tuna. Wahoo do not run in schools but where you are able to find one you are able to frequently find others just simply because they tend to be attracted to the same things. When the water is murky you are able to occasionally catch them in deep water.
You’ll need a pretty sturdy rod and reel. You want to use 30 to 50 lb. test line and about a 4′ 80 to 100 lb. steel leader. Don’t try to use a leader made of mono, those sharp teeth will rip it to bits. Use a short shank 10/0 or 12/0 hook. Some swear by a much smaller hook, as small as 4/0. A wahoo’s teeth are razor sharp and its mouth is hard. Make sure your hooks are sharp so they can penetrate his mouth. If you depend on the captains running the Key West fishing charters for deep sea fishing, they’ll take care of all that, including the fishing licenses for you. Anglers complain about losing wahoo all the time.