Targeting Wahoo in the Northeast - NJFishing.com Your Best Online Source for Fishing Information in New Jersey

Moonzy1 · #1 03-25-2016, 10:02 AM

Anyone target or know those who specifically target wahoo of NJ coast ?

I know theyre caught every now and then but dont know of anyone who targets them specifically around here

Gerry Zagorski · #2 03-25-2016, 10:55 AM

Yes a few of them caught every year by people trolling for Tuna. I'm no expert but from what I've read, higher speed trolling is key, many who target them are trolling as fast as 14 -18 knots and wire leaders are a must. So are weighted or diving lures since most bites occur below the surface.

They are a warm water fish so look for opportunities when warm water eddies and clear water come inshore. They are structure related fish so looks for temp breaks, weedlines, pots etc.

I would think your best opportunities are going to be in late summer early fall when the water temps are up... Some people say they usually arrive the same time as False Albies.

Good luck Moonzy!!

I think the next time I'm out targeting Mahi and school Bluefin, I'm going to drop a deep line in my spread and see if anyone is home

Capt. Debbie · #3 03-25-2016, 11:14 AM

We caught a 100+ pounder last year on the troll just shorty of Bacardi on bait being crashed last Labor Day weekend.

Yes it was a higher speed troll on sub surface doing standard zig zag trolling pattern at 8-9 knots.

Ironically Fisherman Mag wrote a story on how you must you use downriggers for them the following week after caught. Funny since if we did what they specified we would NOT have caught the 100+ lb beast

They are not traditional school fish. So I don't know if anyone would target these. They are a needle in a haystack.

John D. · #4 03-25-2016, 11:16 AM

They are also not limited to the canyons. In fact, many of them can be had at the mid range grounds 40-60 miles out over structure when there is good water quality at the mid grounds.

Dark purple diving plugs are very popular.

Gerry Zagorski · #5 03-25-2016, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt. Frank

We caught a 100+ pounder last year on the troll just shorty of Bacardi on bait being crashed last Labor Day weekend.

Yes it was a higher speed troll on sub surface doing standard zig zag trolling pattern at 8-9 knots.

Ironically Fisherman Mag wrote a story on how you must you use downriggers for them the following week after caught. Funny since if we did what they specified we would NOT have caught the 100+ lb beast

They are not traditional school fish. So I don't know if anyone would target these. They are a needle in a haystack.

I remember you writing about that fish on here Capt Frank. Nice catch and I hear they are very tasty.

I've also heard some stories of people trolling for Tuna having their lures bitten off clean after a hit... My bet would be Wahoo.

Moonzy1 · #6 03-25-2016, 11:36 AM

im down in Fla this week and we fished for them weds. HS trolled skirted bally...way way back

very similar to bluefin trolling but much faster

From what ive read, these fish are not lacking in population. While they dot typically school up too much, they are usually found in pods of 2-4.

Ill bet there are more around than we think.

gonna spend some time in when temps are 78+ chasing them and will report back w what i find

spending an extra cpl hours trolling past groups of pots on way to canyon would be interesting

bulletbob · #7 03-25-2016, 12:57 PM

Wahoo are tough to find... They don't really school up, and are really more of a sub tropical species...There are a couple of specialists that take charters for them on The Gulf Coast of Louisiana... I read an article that some of the best charter capts troll for them at speeds of 18-22 knots!!!.. That sounds insane to me, but they can swim at over 60 mph, so I guess they know a lot better than I do. ..

Moonzy1 · #8 03-25-2016, 01:08 PM

yes we were trolling at 12-14 kts the other day

and you have to keep the speed up when you have them on hook or they will throw the hook

Capt. Debbie · #9 03-25-2016, 01:15 PM

Ours 18 miles inside of Bacardi caught Labor Day Weekend. On purples sub surface tuna lure inside surface bait being crashed. I think it was 70 inches long.

And GREAT to eat!! Best fish I have ever had

Blackfish Doug · #10 03-25-2016, 03:11 PM

I got one 2 years ago on the Jenny Lee a nice fish if I find the picture I will post it. Dave is a excellent captain & runs a very good operation. His boat is so clean I only wished that hospitals were as clean. Give him a try & tell him that's what you would like to target. I'm sure he will tell you what's the best time of the year to try to get one. The fish that I landed was the day after Labor Day it seems like most of the reports that I read that week seems about the time they show up. I'm no expert on this stuff but the top water guys probably can give you more info on it.