Species guide · Hawaii
Wahoo fishing in Hawaii
Acanthocybium solandri, a pelagic species also called ono and hoo. Listed for the Hawaii region. Shoulder season, about 6 more weeks.
Right now it scores best in Majuro Coastal Waters at 32, one of 4 Hawaii bay systems where the Waterlands engine is scoring it.
Season now
Shoulder seasonSeason by month
From the Waterlands saltwater species research: when the fish are present and biting, not whether retention is open.
Hawaii
Shoulder season, about 6 more weeks- Jan: Off season
- Feb: Off season
- Mar: Off season
- Apr: Shoulder season
- May: Shoulder season
- Jun: Peak season
- Jul: Peak season
- Aug: Peak season
- Sep: Shoulder season
- Oct: Shoulder season
- Nov: Off season
- Dec: Off season
Peak: Jun to Aug. In season (shoulder or peak): Apr to Oct.
Research notes, Hawaii region
Called ono. Present year-round; charter reports put the best trolling May through October, peaking June through August. Low confidence: no state agency seasonal data found.
Seasons and limits in these notes are background. The regulations below and the regulator’s own page govern.
Where it's scoring now · 4
Hawaii bay systems ranked by the Waterlands engine's wahoo score this hour.
Best window today 4-8 PM (41) · Best day Fri, Sep 18 at 6 PM (41)
Best window today 1-8 PM (39) · Best day Sat, Sep 19 at 6 AM (40)
Best window today 3-7 PM (38) · Best day Sun, Sep 20 at 6 AM (42)
Best window today 12-8 PM (33) · Best day Thu, Oct 1 at 4 PM (40)
Not scored in this forecast: Alenuihaha Channel, Big Island Leeward Waters, Big Island Southeast Waters, Big Island Windward Waters, Kaiwi Channel, Kauai Channel, Kauai Leeward Waters, Kauai Northwest Waters, Kauai Windward Waters, Maalaea Bay, Maui County Leeward Waters, Maui County Windward Waters, Oahu Leeward Waters, Oahu Windward Waters, Pailolo Channel and Waters out to 40 Nautical Miles.
How and where it feeds
- Water temperature
- Feeds from 68°F to 84°F, best between 72°F and 80°F.
- Water depth
- 60 to 3000 ft of water.
- Structure
- Ledge, rip, pinnacle, bluewater, wreck and canyon, in that order of preference.
- Tide and current
- Prefers moving water, with moderate current.Tide stage has little effect offshore. Current edges, temperature breaks and weed lines along drop-offs concentrate fish.
- Light
- Bites best around dawn and dusk.
- Pressure
- Little response to pressure changes.
- Wind and sea limits
- 20 kt of wind and 6 ft of sea. The Waterlands engine scores hours down as conditions pass them.
Tackle and technique
Wahoo patrol drop-offs, seamounts, rigs and weed lines where current and temperature breaks meet, usually along the 100 to 600 foot contours. High-speed trolling at 12 to 18 knots with weighted lures covers ground, and slower trolling with ballyhoo or diving plugs works over known structure. Use wire leader, because their teeth cut monofilament.
- Methods
- high-speed trolling, trolling, slow trolling live bait, vertical jigging
- Lures
- weighted high-speed trolling lures, skirted ballyhoo, diving plugs, planer-rigged lures
- Bait
- rigged ballyhoo, live blue runners, live goggle-eyes, bonito strips
Regulations
Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Aquatic Resources. Sync unavailable, last verified Sep 13, 2026.
No reviewed wahoo rule for Hawaii is on file yet. Check with DLNR DAR before you keep one.