Wahoo Weapons

[WahooKing]

The Boat



16 Kts



The Weapons

[thejack]

Dam......You sure have the set-up!!

I don't see any pics of fish though..?..?

[WAHOONBOX]

COOL!! 16 KTS!!! YA GOTTA LOVE IT!


TALK ABOUT DRAG HERE IF YOU GET A CHANCE 'KING


IT'S CHRISTMAS TIME .......MAYBE A FEW GUYS HERE WILL WANT SOME ACES UNDER THE TREE!

[WahooKing]

We target Wahoo with BIG LURES (the bigger the better), trolling sinkers and shock leaders. During tournament time, we only fish with 80's or 130's (2-speed). Wire line outfits (2 max according to rules) are used in the short cornors. This setup is highly effective and the hook up to boat ratio is extremely high due to no stretch and max pressure on fish with boat...Also, you drive those hooks into the bony mouth of the Wahoo at high speeds.

Trolling speed varies per outside conditions and outfit/lure/trolling weight size...Drags should be set just above the point were your line isn't creeping off the reel...80 lb outfits require about 25-30 lbs of drag with a 2 lb trolling sinker rig.

Usually, it is very hard to tell if you have a big Wahoo on. If they make several runs after the first initial long run, they are usually big Wahoo. If the fish is small (< 60 lbs), one run is all you'll get.

Once the fish is on, the speed of boat is slowly dropped to 8-10 knots. All Wahoo are reeled in at those speeds...Most of the time there is so much pressure exerted on the Wahoo with boat, they stay on the surface. If that is the case, remaining lines in water stay at their designated spot in the spread...This is the time were you will experience multiple hook ups...All Wahoo are reeled in at 8-10 knots. The fish is worked with the boat and not the rods. Max pressure is key to increasing hooked fish to boat ratio.

We fished w/ 80 Duel 2 speeds on our last trip... When you crank the handle forward, the reel is in high gear. When the direction is reversed and the handle is cranked backward the reel is in low gear...These reels worked out like a champ...Cranking was a constant for our tired crew...No time was wasted in pushing a button to switch gears...Maximum pressure on fish at all times resulted in 100% hookup to boat ratio...

Currently, I'm working on a new trolling sinker system that will allow the lighter tackle fishermen to high speed troll...The rig is in the R&D stages and should be complete in the near future.

[flatbottom]

nice write up wahooking. My bro from Fort Pierce, uses your wire line setup with the heavy trolling weights. This setup works for him very well when he targets wahoo. A few dolphin and kings slip in there some times, Cuda, when not junping over the transom, trying to unhook them selves are a regular in his area. Again, nice read wahooking.

[SeaBiscuit]

Thanks for the great write up Wahooking.
Do you fight 'em in the holders?
Can you describe the leader set up?

Very interested in the light tackle, high speed stuff. Please keep it coming.
SeaBiscuit

[WahooKing]

Thanks for the great write up Wahooking.
Do you fight 'em in the holders?
Can you describe the leader set up?

All fish are fought in the rod holders...the rods remain there all day long...Each rod has a designated line mark...the short corners run at 100' and 150'...the longs run at 200' and 250'...shot gun at 350'...All lines are perfectly staggered...The practice of marking lines, allows you to return your bait to the water to the exact position without guessing or hesitation...And most important, you can turn on a dime and never get tangled..

This high speed rig is very simple to put together and easy to deploy...Everything is attached to your main line...Your main line is attached to 350lb ball bearing swivel...The swivel is attached to loop on trolling sinker rig.

The rule of thumb is to match your trolling sinker vs outfit...1lb = 50's...2lb = 80's...3lb = 80's, 130's and wire line outfits.


Swivel on trolling sinker rig is attached to 15-50' of 480 lb s.s. cable shock leader.

15' of 300-400 lb mono is also used...I prefer the cable because its easier on the hands...It lays on the deck better than mono...Shock leader length is a matter of preference...15' is your minimum....All rods must have the same shock leader lengths.

Shock leader is attached to 3' of 480 lb cable lure leader to 0 degree double hook rig...The length of 3' is important...A 20lb wahoo is about 4 feet long. When hooked the fish runs off with the lure against it's body. A lure on a longer leader will trail behind the fish and become a target for the next wahoo in line for lunch, usually resulting in the first fish being cut off at the leader. This can become costly.

[WahooKing]

Here's a couple of weekend shots sent to me from customers/friends

[SeaBiscuit]

Great write up Anthony. Thank you for answering the questions and providing great how to advice.
SeaBiscuit

[blackwell50]

looks like a good set-up.Have you done any wahoo fishing at rum cay?Lot's of big fish.