OffshoreHookup
Wahoo at speed underwater in blurred electric-blue water

Wahoo SeasonEvery Port

Wahoo season across US offshore ports peaks Sep: that's when at least half of the 14 ports we track are at peak. September is the hottest, with 7 of 14 ports at peak. Fishable year-round somewhere across US offshore ports.

Bars: share of the 14 ports at peak (orange) and fishable (blue) each month. Number = ports at peak.

Gulf Coast6 ports

Wahoo in the Gulf →
Wahoo bite calendar by port, Gulf Coast
PortJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Destin, FLPeak May–SepOffOffFishableFishablePeakPeakPeakPeakPeakFishableFishableOff
Galveston, TXPeak May–SepOffOffFishableFishablePeakPeakPeakPeakPeakFishableOffOff
Orange Beach, ALPeak May–JulOffOffFishableFishablePeakPeakPeakFishableFishableFishableOffOff
Port Aransas, TXPeak Apr–JunOffOffFishablePeakPeakPeakFishableFishableFishableFishableOffOff
South Padre Island, TXPeak Nov–JanPeakFishableFishableOffOffOffOffOffFishableFishablePeakPeak
Venice, LAPeak Jan–MarPeakPeakPeakOffOffOffOffOffOffOffOffOff

Florida Atlantic & Keys1 port

Wahoo bite calendar by port, Florida Atlantic & Keys
PortJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Key West, FLPeak Nov–FebPeakPeakFishableOffOffOffOffOffOffFishablePeakPeak

Carolinas4 ports

Wahoo off the Carolinas →
Wahoo bite calendar by port, Carolinas
PortJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Charleston, SCPeak Jan–FebPeakPeakFishableFishableFishableFishableFishableFishableOffFishableFishableFishable
Hatteras, NCPeak Aug–OctOffOffOffOffOffFishableFishablePeakPeakPeakOffOff
Morehead City, NCPeak Feb, Sep–NovFishablePeakOffFishableFishableFishableFishableOffPeakPeakPeakOff
Oregon Inlet, NCPeak Aug–OctOffOffOffOffOffFishableFishablePeakPeakPeakOffOff

Mid-Atlantic2 ports

Wahoo in the Mid-Atlantic →
Wahoo bite calendar by port, Mid-Atlantic
PortJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Ocean City, MDPeak —OffOffOffOffOffFishableFishableFishableFishableFishableOffOff
Virginia Beach, VAPeak Aug–OctOffOffOffOffFishableFishableFishablePeakPeakPeakFishableOff

Pacific1 port

Wahoo bite calendar by port, Pacific
PortJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Kona, HIPeak May–SepOffOffOffOffPeakPeakPeakPeakPeakOffOffOff

Where to run

Each port's primary offshore run, and its window for wahoo. Tap a port for every run, regulation and source.

Florida

Destin

Peak May–SepFishable Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov
Primary runjust over 10 milesto 100-Fathom Curve
Texas

Galveston

Peak May–SepFishable Mar–Apr, Oct
Primary run40 miles or less in peak seasonto Summer billfish and pelagic water
Alabama

Orange Beach

Peak May–JulFishable Mar–Apr, Aug–Oct
Primary runabout 8-15 miles offshoreto Orange Beach artificial reef zone
Texas

Port Aransas

Peak Apr–JunFishable Mar, Jul–Oct
Primary runabout 35 milesto Bakers and Hospital Rock
Texas

South Padre Island

Peak Nov–JanFishable Feb–Mar, Sep–Oct
Primary runabout 13 miles northeast of the jettiesto RGV Reef
Louisiana

Venice

Peak Jan–Mar
Primary runabout 20 miles off Southwest Passto Midnight Lump (Sackett Bank)
Florida

Key West

Peak Nov–FebFishable Mar, Oct
Primary runabout 6 milesto Outer reef (main ship channel)
South Carolina

Charleston

Peak Jan–FebFishable Mar–Aug, Oct–Dec
Primary runabout 60-65 milesto Georgetown Hole (Gulf Stream ledge)
North Carolina

Hatteras

Peak Aug–OctFishable Jun–Jul
Primary runabout 25 milesto Gulf Stream edge
North Carolina

Morehead City

Peak Feb, Sep–NovFishable Jan, Apr–Jul
Primary runabout 30 miles from Beaufort Inletto Gulf Stream
North Carolina

Oregon Inlet

Peak Aug–OctFishable Jun–Jul
Primary runabout 35 milesto Gulf Stream
Maryland

Ocean City

Fishable Jun–Oct
Primary runabout 30 milesto Jackspot
Virginia

Virginia Beach

Peak Aug–OctFishable May–Jul, Nov
Primary runabout 13 milesto Chesapeake Light Tower
Hawaii

Kona

Peak May–Sep
Primary runabout a quarter-mile from the harborto Kona ledge (trolling grounds)

How to fish it

Tackle class:30-50lb conventional, wire leader mandatory. The window gets you on the water; the rig gets the fish to the boat. Full breakdown on the wahoo page.

Kits for this fish

  • The Blue-Water Trolling Starter KitThe reel, rod, braid, leader, and gaff you need to run a real bump-and-wind spread on giant bluefin, yellowfin, and wahoo, bundled so you're not guessing what pairs with what.
  • The Wahoo Wire-Ready KitBraid, fluoro, and the mandatory wire leader most weekend spreads skip: bundled so a bite-off doesn't end your wahoo trip in the first hour.

Frequently asked

When is wahoo season across US offshore ports?

Wahoo season across US offshore ports peaks Sep: that's when at least half of the 14 ports we track are at peak. September is the hottest, with 7 of 14 ports at peak. Fishable year-round somewhere across US offshore ports.

What is the best month for wahoo across US offshore ports?

September. In September, 7 of the 14 ports we track are at peak: Destin, Galveston, Hatteras, Morehead City, Oregon Inlet, Virginia Beach, Kona.

Which US port has the longest wahoo season?

Charleston, SC: 11 fishable months on our calendar, peaking Jan–Feb.

What rig do you use for wahoo?

30-50lb conventional, wire leader mandatory. Start with High-Speed Wahoo Trolling Spreads.

Where this comes from

Every window here is rolled up from the port calendars on this site, and each port page cites its sources. Peak means the port's sources call it the best stretch; fishable means the fish are around but not at their best. Water temperature and bait move these windows every year. Check state and federal regulations before you leave the dock. Not legal advice.