Wahoo(Acanthocybium solandri)
Quick Facts
- Other Names: Wahoo, Hoofish
- Size Range: Wahoo can grow to over 150 pounds.
- Native Species?: Yes
- Food Value: Highly prized for its white, mild meat, the wahoo is the best eating of the mackerel family.
State Record
- Louisiana State Record: 139.25lbs
- State Record Date: 4/1/1976
- State Record Holder Myron Fischer
A member of the mackerel family, wahoo have long, streamlined bodies with wavy bars or stripes that fade quickly upon death. A high-speed swimmer. the wahoo is a top predator that chops its prey with its small, razor sharp teeth. Highly prized by fishermen around the world as a sport fish and for its superb eating.
Wahoo are considered an open water fish but are often found near the edges of continental shelfs and pinnacles. They can also be found under floating debris. They live in all temperate and tropical oceans of the world.
These fish are caught trolling with baits and lures with wire leaders due to their sharp teeth. Anglers often use high-speed methods, as wahoo like to hit a fast-trolled bait and often a sub-surface presentation. They can also be caught on jigs, irons and live bait. Anglers fish structures such as natural ledges, oil rigs and floating debris. Wahoo are often found schooling if conditions are favorable and bait is present. The wahoo is known for blazing fast runs after the initial strike.
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Related Fishing Methods
Live Bait
Live bait is a term given to many different types of fish, crustaceans, insects and worms that are popular food items for fish and used by fishermen for bait. There are many benefits to live bait as well as a few cons. The pros normally out weigh the negatives, and live bait is widely used. The biggest benefit for fishermen is that they are using the real thing and often puts a fish's guard down. Small fish, crabs, shrimp, clams, crickets and the good ole earthworm are all used to entice a fish to the hook. The only negatives to live bait is just that, keeping it alive. Sometimes catching it can be a challenge, as only some species can be bought as live bait. No matter how you get it, live bait is a great way to target many types of fish.
Trolling
Trolling is the presentation of lure and/or baits from a moving boat. Many types of predatory fish are caught this way in both fresh and salt water. Speeds and presentations vary greatly depending on the target species. One may troll a small beetle spin for crappie with trolling motor in the lake, or charge around oil rigs at 15 knots with a high-speed wahoo spread. Trolling ballyhoo offshore is one of the most common, broad spectrum ways to catch all types of gamefish. Again there are many different methods to choose from.
Related Fishing Gear
Wire Ballyhoo Rig
A ballyhoo rigged on wire leader, normally single strand, is designed to target fish species with teeth such as wahoo, king mackerel and barracuda.
