Species guide · North Carolina

Wahoo fishing in North Carolina

Acanthocybium solandri, a pelagic species also called ono and hoo. Listed for the South Atlantic region. Shoulder season, about 1 more week.

Right now it scores best in Coastal waters from Surf City to Cape Fear NC out 20 nm at 51, one of 2 North Carolina bay systems where the Waterlands engine is scoring it.

Season now

Shoulder season

Where it's scoring now All North Carolina waters

Season by month

From the Waterlands saltwater species research: when the fish are present and biting, not whether retention is open.

South Atlantic

Shoulder season, about 1 more week

Jan: Off season
Feb: Off season
Mar: Shoulder season
Apr: Peak season
May: Peak season
Jun: Shoulder season
Jul: Shoulder season
Aug: Shoulder season
Sep: Shoulder season
Oct: Peak season
Nov: Peak season
Dec: Shoulder season

Peak: Apr to May, Oct to Nov. In season (shoulder or peak): Mar to Dec.

Research notes, South Atlantic region

Gulf Stream edge, ledges and weed lines off the Carolinas, Georgia and Northeast Florida. Fish are most abundant from early spring through late fall, with a few lingering in winter (NCDMF); anglers key on the spring and fall runs.

Seasons and limits in these notes are background. The regulations below and the regulator’s own page govern.

Where it's scoring now · 2

North Carolina bay systems ranked by the Waterlands engine's wahoo score this hour.

51Good

Coastal waters from Surf City to Cape Fear NC out 20 nm

Best window today 8 PM-12 AM (51) · Best day Sun, Sep 20 at 8 AM (58) · 1 named spot

49Good

Coastal waters from Cape Fear NC to Little River Inlet SC out 20 NM

Best window today 8-10 PM (49) · Best day Sun, Sep 20 at 8 AM (55) · 7 named spots

Not scored in this forecast: Albemarle Sound, Alligator River, Croatan and Roanoke Sounds, Currituck Sound, Neuse and Bay Rivers, Pamlico and Pungo Rivers and Pamlico Sound.

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

NCDMF saltwater regulations Buy a North Carolina fishing license License types

North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries. Synced with NCDMF Sep 16, 2026.

No reviewed wahoo rule for North Carolina is on file yet. Check with NCDMF before you keep one.