Wahoo

The vivid vertical stripes and long, slender body make this voracious member of the mackerel family unmistakable; the mouthful of sharp teeth identify it as a voracious striking predator in all offshore waters where it occurs, from the Middle Atlantic and Bermuda, through Florida, the Bahamas and Caribbean; Gulf of Mexico; and in the Pacific from California to Panama and Hawaii.

The most effective angling technique is often trolling deep in the water column around rips, weedlines and upwellings resulting from deep structure. However, they may be taken near the surface as well, on drifted live baits or lures trolled or cast around weedlines and flotsam. Wahoo prefer a faster trolling speed than most other offshore species, and spoons, plugs, skirted lures and feathers all produce, but must be rigged on wire or cable leader to prevent cutoffs.

Most commonly caught in the 20- to 50-pound range, they are often found approaching 100 pounds, and record specimens reach 150-pounds plus. The firm, white flesh is excellent in a variety of preparations.