Acanthocybium solandri
Long, torpedo-shaped body with iridescent blue back and silver sides marked with 20-30 vivid dark blue/black vertical bars. The bars are most vivid when the fish is alive and excited. Narrow, elongated snout with razor-sharp teeth. High, pointed first dorsal fin. Deeply forked tail.
Males and females are identical in appearance. Females may grow slightly larger on average. Wahoo are relatively solitary compared to other pelagic species — they travel alone or in small groups.
Average catch is 20-40 lbs. Quality wahoo run 40-70 lbs. Trophy fish exceed 80 lbs. The world record is 184 lbs, caught in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico in 2005. Fish over 100 lbs are considered exceptional in U.S. waters.
High-speed trolling (12-18 knots) with skirted lures, Rapala Magnums, and wahoo bombs behind a planer is the most effective technique. Slow-trolling live blue runners or bonito on wire leaders near temperature breaks and current edges produces trophy fish. Deep-dropping live bait on a downrigger to 100-200 feet under the boat when wahoo are marked on the sonar accounts for many large fish. The key is wire leader — wahoo teeth cut anything else instantly.
Heavy trolling rod, 50 lb class reel, 60-80 lb monofilament or braid, #7-#10 single-strand wire leader or heavy cable (wahoo teeth require wire). For live bait: medium-heavy spinning with wire leader.
Federal minimum size is typically none or varies. Bag limit of 2 fish per person per day in most areas. Check regional regulations.
Regulations change frequently. Always verify current rules with your charter captain or state wildlife agency before fishing.
The Bahamas · Central Bahamas
North Carolina · Crystal Coast
New Jersey · Jersey Shore
South Carolina · Lowcountry
North Carolina · Crystal Coast
The Bahamas · Northern Bahamas
Barbados · Barbados Coast
Georgia · Georgia Coast
Puerto Rico · West Coast
New Jersey · Jersey Shore
North Carolina · Cape Fear
Grenada · Grenada Coast
The Bahamas · Southern Bahamas
South Carolina · Lowcountry
Florida · Space Coast
Florida · Panhandle
The Bahamas · Central Bahamas
Antigua & Barbuda · Antigua Coast
Puerto Rico · San Juan Metro
Florida · Southeast
Alabama · Mobile Bay
Florida · Southwest
Florida · Panhandle
The Bahamas · Northern Bahamas
South Carolina · Grand Strand
Grenada · Grenada Coast
Saint-Martin · Saint-Martin Coast
Louisiana · Southeast Louisiana
The Bahamas · Southern Bahamas
Alabama · Gulf Coast
Hawaii · Oahu
North Carolina · Outer Banks
South Carolina · Lowcountry
Hawaii · Oahu
Florida · Keys
Georgia · Georgia Coast
Antigua & Barbuda · Antigua Coast
Hawaii · Big Island
Florida · Keys
Florida · Keys
South Carolina · Lowcountry
Hawaii · Maui
North Carolina · Outer Banks
Florida · Keys
Florida · Southwest
Saint-Martin · Saint-Martin Coast
The Bahamas · Northern Bahamas
Florida · Space Coast
Florida · Southeast
New York · Long Island
North Carolina · Crystal Coast
South Carolina · Grand Strand
South Carolina · Grand Strand
North Carolina · Outer Banks
Florida · Southwest
The Bahamas · Central Bahamas
Florida · Space Coast
Virginia · Hampton Roads
South Carolina · Grand Strand
Maryland · Ocean Coast
Barbados · Barbados Coast
Alabama · Gulf Coast
North Carolina · Outer Banks
Saint-Martin · Saint-Martin Coast
Florida · Panhandle
South Carolina · Grand Strand
Florida · Panhandle
Sint Maarten · Sint Maarten Coast
New Jersey · Jersey Shore
Hawaii · Kauai
Hawaii · Kauai
Dominica · Dominica Coast
Puerto Rico · West Coast
Dominica · Dominica Coast
Puerto Rico · San Juan Metro
Florida · Southwest
Georgia · Georgia Coast
Dominica · Dominica Coast
Florida · Space Coast
Sint Maarten · Sint Maarten Coast
North Carolina · Cape Fear
Barbados · Barbados Coast
Grenada · Grenada Coast
Antigua & Barbuda · Antigua Coast
Georgia · Georgia Coast
Florida · Southeast
North Carolina · Crystal Coast
Georgia · Georgia Coast
Louisiana · Southeast Louisiana
Virginia · Hampton Roads
Florida · Southeast
North Carolina · Cape Fear
North Carolina · Cape Fear
Expert tips, seasonal reports, and fishing guides featuring Wahoo.
Landing Wahoo consistently requires more than showing up at the right spot. Successful anglers and charter captains have
Species Spotlight
Cat Island in the southern Bahamas is ground zero for trophy wahoo. Fish regularly exceed 80 pounds, and multiple world
Wahoo rank among the most sought-after saltwater species along the American coast. Whether you are an experienced offsho
Timing your Wahoo fishing trip correctly can be the difference between a banner day and a quiet ride. While these fish c
Haleiwa's North Shore is Oahu's premier wahoo (ono) fishery — here's how these speed demons are targeted in the deep w
Connect with experienced captains who specialize in deep sea fishing fishing.
Find Charters