OffshoreHookup
Wahoo at speed underwater in blurred electric-blue water

Wahoo SeasonCarolinas

Wahoo season off the Carolinas peaks Feb, Aug–Oct: that's when at least half of the 4 ports we track are at peak. September and October are the hottest, with 3 of 4 ports at peak. Fishable year-round somewhere off the Carolinas.

Bars: share of the 4 ports at peak (orange) and fishable (blue) each month. Number = ports at peak.

Fall is the wahoo window off the Carolinas. October through December, when Gulf Stream eddies spin off and the current edge gets unstable, wahoo concentrate along the temperature breaks. Hatteras and Oregon Inlet have the shortest runs to productive water. Speed trolling at 12 knots over a color change where blue meets green is the method — pull a spread of high-speed lures with a ballyhoo on the outside and a daisy chain of squids behind.

Port by port4 ports

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

Where to run

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

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

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 off the Carolinas?

Wahoo season off the Carolinas peaks Feb, Aug–Oct: that's when at least half of the 4 ports we track are at peak. September and October are the hottest, with 3 of 4 ports at peak. Fishable year-round somewhere off the Carolinas.

What is the best month for wahoo off the Carolinas?

September and October. In September, 3 of the 4 ports we track are at peak: Hatteras, Morehead City, Oregon Inlet.

Which Carolinas 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.