Wahoo

Oceans & Range: All tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide — the fastest fish in the ocean capable of bursts exceeding 60 mph. In the Atlantic, from New Jersey south through Florida, the Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean. In the Pacific, from California south through Baja and throughout Hawaii and the Central Pacific. Found around current edges, temperature breaks, and offshore structure.

Preferred Water Temperature: 70°F–82°F. An offshore blue water species found at temperature breaks, current edges, and around offshore structure like seamounts and FADs. Concentrate where baitfish schools are abundant.

Size & Weight: Typically 20–60 lbs and 4–6 feet. Trophy fish exceed 100 lbs. World record: 184 lbs from Baja California. Extremely fast, torpedo-shaped fish with a toothy beak. The finest-eating of all offshore pelagics — rich, sweet white meat. Also called Ono in Hawaii.

Best Lures: High-speed trolling (12–20 knots) with large skirted lures produces most Wahoo — speed is essential. Large Rapala minnow lures trolled on wire line or with planers at high speed are outstanding. Large stick baits trolled fast are effective. Wahoo will destroy slow-trolled lures — speed triggers their aggressive strike.

Best Baits: Rigged whole mackerel trolled fast behind a planer are top producers. Rigged whole ballyhoo at high speed work well in the Atlantic. Large whole rigged squid trolled fast produce strikes. Wire leaders (75–125 lb) are essential — their teeth slice through monofilament instantly.

All tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide — the fastest fish in the ocean capable of bursts exceeding 60 mph. In the Atlantic, from New Jersey south through Florida, the Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean. In the Pacific, from California south through Baja and throughout Hawaii and the Central Pacific. Found around current edges, temperature breaks, and offshore structure.

70°F–82°F. An offshore blue water species found at temperature breaks, current edges, and around offshore structure like seamounts and FADs. Concentrate where baitfish schools are abundant.

Best Lures: High-speed trolling (12–20 knots) with large skirted lures produces most Wahoo — speed is essential. Large Rapala minnow lures trolled on wire line or with planers at high speed are outstanding. Large stick baits trolled fast are effective. Wahoo will destroy slow-trolled lures — speed triggers their aggressive strike. Best Baits: Rigged whole mackerel trolled fast behind a planer are top producers. Rigged whole ballyhoo at high speed work well in the Atlantic. Large whole rigged squid trolled fast produce strikes. Wire leaders (75–125 lb) are essential — their teeth slice through monofilament instantly.

3 fishing locations where you can catch Wahoo

Typically 20–60 lbs and 4–6 feet. Trophy fish exceed 100 lbs. World record: 184 lbs from Baja California. Extremely fast, torpedo-shaped fish with a toothy beak. The finest-eating of all offshore pelagics — rich, sweet white meat. Also called Ono in Hawaii.

1 official record on file for Wahoo