Wahoo Fishing Lures

Here is a list of "Must-Have" trolling lures for catching your tournament winning Wahoo.

Recommended Lures when Fishing for Wahoo

Saltwater anglers have differing theories about bait presentation and trolling speeds when they fish for wahoo. That said, C&H Lures designed and developed several wahoo lures with wahoo fishing specifically in mind. The newest addition to our wahoo slayers is the Poseidon. Available in three different head sizes, this big lure has become one of our most popular sellers. Our Wahoo Whacker lure has a weighted head and a missile-shaped body to allow the lure to run at different depths. The Wahoo Feather was blue water tested by C&H Lures for over two years and can be used in combination with dead bait, like select size ballyhoo. Since wahoo love big wahoo lures trolled at higher speeds, C&H Lures developed the Wahoo Wacker XL which works with our trolling weights or on the surface.

C&H Lures also stocks Billy Baits' Mister Big wahoo lures and the redesigned Magnum Turbo Whistler series of wahoo lures that work great with or without bait. The Mister Big, often considered to be the wahoo's worst nightmare, is designed to be a high-speed trolling lure (8 to 20 knots) that creates a huge smoke trail and an appealing rattle. The Mr. Big is available in mylar or rubber skirts. The new design features on the Magnum Turbo Whistler give this wahoo lure unbelievable action and the cupped head design keeps the lure down. Don't forget to let everyone know about your passion for wahoo fishing -- Fly your C&H Lures Wahoo Flag proudly when fishing blue water.

About the Wahoo Fish

Wahoo are the lean, mean, sleek cousin of the king mackerel, but have distinguishable traits making it somewhat easy to identify. When initially caught, the wahoo has dark vertical bands extending down their side but these fade quickly once the wahoo is boated. The wahoo's caudal fins cause the wahoo's tail to stick straight up and the wahoo has a small fold of skin that covers its mandible when the mouth is closed. Its delicate but firm white meat makes the wahoo a delicacy of the sea for anglers around the globe. Called Ono in Hawaii, this fish is served in the Bahamas as Peto and in parts of the Caribbean as Queenfish. Surprisingly, commercial fishing for wahoo is very rare.

Blue water anglers are often surprised when they incidentally hook a wahoo while trolling for billfish, tuna or dolphin. Some believe this relative of the king mackerel got its name from the sensation it provides when it hits a live bait rig or trolling lure. Reputed to be the biggest and fastest (about 60 mph) gilled-fish in the deep, many fishing stories have been told as to how an angry wahoo bit the hand off of a careless angler while being boated. Nonetheless, caution should always be used when landing a wahoo and most captains recommend cutting the leader and re-rigging. A failed attempt at retrieving the bait hook or a favorite fishing lure from a wahoo's mouth could make for an unwanted fishing story of your own.

This impressive member of the mackerel family is known for its jolting hit and fierce fight making it a favorite incidental catch for most blue water anglers. Many wahoo strikes occur when drifting with downriggers. If your fishing line can survive the power of wahoo's initial hit, the sensation of the catch on a saltwater rod-and-reel is unmistakable. However, it typically requires much heavier fishing tackle, a longer wire leader and a stout hook on your lure. Wahoo are not schooling fish, but several wahoo may be feeding the same bait field, so multiple catches in the same area are common. In fact, while you're reeling in the initial strike, another wahoo may be hitting at your fishing rods with other wahoo lures and pre-rigged livebait. It can be difficult for a rod-and-reel angler to set the hook in a wahoo's hard mouth; and the catch can be lost at any time during the fight if the wahoo's razor sharp teeth catch your fishing line.