OffshoreHookup
Wahoo at speed underwater in blurred electric-blue water

Wahoo SeasonGulf Coast

Wahoo season in the Gulf peaks May–Jul: that's when at least half of the 6 ports we track are at peak. May and June are the hottest, with 4 of 6 ports at peak. Fishable year-round somewhere in the Gulf.

Bars: share of the 6 ports at peak (orange) and fishable (blue) each month. Number = ports at peak.

Gulf wahoo concentrate at the shelf break in winter. December through March, speed trolling at 12 to 15 knots over the ledge is the method; ballyhoo on a wire leader, blue and white lures, pulled fast enough to keep tension. The fish slash through a spread at full speed and the strike is violent. Orange Beach and Port Aransas produce the most consistent Gulf wahoo, often in the same zones where yellowfin are running.

Port by port6 ports

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

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)

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 in the Gulf?

Wahoo season in the Gulf peaks May–Jul: that's when at least half of the 6 ports we track are at peak. May and June are the hottest, with 4 of 6 ports at peak. Fishable year-round somewhere in the Gulf.

What is the best month for wahoo in the Gulf?

May and June. In May, 4 of the 6 ports we track are at peak: Destin, Galveston, Orange Beach, Port Aransas.

Which Gulf Coast port has the longest wahoo season?

Destin, FL: 9 fishable months on our calendar, peaking May–Sep.

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.