Damn Good Wahoo Fishing Charters

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“Our Damn Good Guides go above and beyond, and we’ve handpicked every single one. We’re passionate about the outdoors and look forward to getting you out on the trip of a lifetime, every time.”

Jonathan and Attison   |   Co-founders   |   Austin, Texas

Wahoo Fishing Charters

Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Nearshore Fishing in Cabo San Lucas

Spearfishing Cabo

NEW
26 ft 1 - 4 People From $700
Damn Good
Certified Damn Good Guides offer 10/10 trips. Guides earn this badge through quality reviews, quick and responsive communication, and low cancellation rates.
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Deep Sea, Nearshore Fishing in Key Largo

Key Largo Offshore

NEW
34 ft 1 - 6 People From $900
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Deep Sea, Nearshore Fishing in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle

Punta Mita Offshore

NEW
35 ft 1 - 6 People From $825
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Deep Sea Fishing in Kailua-Kona

Kona Coast Big Game Fishing

NEW
35 ft 1 - 6 People From $850
Damn Good
Certified Damn Good Guides offer 10/10 trips. Guides earn this badge through quality reviews, quick and responsive communication, and low cancellation rates.
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Deep Sea, Nearshore Fishing in Key West

Key West Mixed Bag Trip

100% (10)
43 ft 1 - 6 People From $950
Damn Good
Certified Damn Good Guides offer 10/10 trips. Guides earn this badge through quality reviews, quick and responsive communication, and low cancellation rates.
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Deep Sea, Nearshore Fishing in Key West

Offshore Fishing,Reef & Wreck And Sunset

100% (29)
35 ft 1 - 12 People From $900
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Everything to Know About Booking a wahoo fishing charter

What are the best wahoo fishing charters?

Why should I book a wahoo fishing charter with Captain Experiences?

Our Damn Good Guides currently offer 551 wahoo trips, and the most popular trips are Half Day Fort Lauderdale guided by , Cabo VIP Fishing - 32’ Luhrs guided by , and Punta Cana Luxury Trip guided by .

Our guides are rated a 4.8 out of 5 based on 3997 verified reviews on Captain Experiences.

All guides on Captain Experiences are vetted by our team. You can access their reviews, click through trip photos, read bios to get to know them, and preview trip details like species, techniques, group sizes, boat specs and more.

Looking for kid friendly wahoo guides / fishing lessons? Check out our beginner and family friendly wahoo guides.

What types of wahoo fishing charters are common?

Deep Sea fishing is the most popular type of fishing for wahoo as well as nearshore fishing, inshore fishing, and jetty fishing.

The most common fishing techniques are trolling, heavy tackle fishing, and bottom fishing but live bait fishing and jigging are popular as well.

How much do wahoo fishing charters cost?

Prices for wahoo can range anywhere from about $1,100 to $6,783, but the average price for a half day trip for wahoo is $1,763. The average price for a full day trip for wahoo is $3,804.

Is booking a fishing guide worth the money?

Hiring a guide provides a number of benefits and many choose to book a fishing guide for a combination of experience, local knowledge, convenience, and cost-effectiveness.

Working with experienced fishing guides who know the best local spots and techniques can dramatically increase your odds of a great day. Having someone who is on the water every day and knows the area like the back of their hand is going to give you the best chances of success.

Booking a guide is also more cost effective, especially if you only get out a handful of times per year. When you consider all of the costs you would incur on your own such as the price of a boat, maintenance, insurance, gas, high-quality gear and tackle, repairs, and more, you’ll find that DIY is sometimes not worth the expense.

Even if you’ve got a great setup already in your home waters, booking a guide also provides a great opportunity to experience new techniques, new locations, or even a chance at a new target species to knock off the bucket list.

What month is best for wahoo fishing?

The most popular season for wahoo fishing is summer, and most anglers book their trips 69 days in advance.

Do I need a fishing license for wahoo and what are the bag limits for wahoo?

See here for more information on wahoo fishing licenses, wahoo bag limits, and fishing season regulations for wahoo. When in doubt, your fishing guide will always know the right wahoo rules and regulations.

What is a Wahoo?

The wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri) is an aerodynamic predator who is known for its sharp teeth, zebra-like pattern, and speed, and they are prized gamefish because they are great to catch and great to eat.

The fish itself is very long and slender with a longish snout filled with sharp serrated teeth and a few small fins on the top and bottom of the fish. They have tiny scales similar to other members of the mackerel family. Its coloring is unique, generally showing a deep blue/purple color and silver below with vertical blue stripes running down its side that are especially prominent shortly after the wahoo is caught (be sure to snap some quick photos if you are keeping the fish, the colors fade quickly just like a mahi). 

Wahoo can be found in warm waters around the world and are beloved by anglers for their leap - it won’t happen every time, but wahoo are known to jump well out of the water (their speed helps them here). They have even been known to launch last-minute attacks at lures that are already coming out of the water at the boat. 


How big do Wahoo get?

Wahoo size usually limits out at about 5 ft and 20-50 pounds, but they can grow up to 100 inches and a bit under 200 pounds. Wahoo generally reach maturity at about 2 years of age depending on location and gender and are believed to live until about 6 years of age, making them a relatively fast-growing species. They are known to grow fairly quickly, and after reaching about 40 inches can grow an additional 1.5 inches per month. Their size is also correlated with water temperatures, and although they are a warm-water fish they are known to be bigger in cooler waters.

What's the biggest Wahoo ever caught?


The biggest on record is a massive 184 pound fish caught by Sara Hayward out of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico in 2005. This is also said to be a nearly impossible record to beat by some, due to the sheer size and separation from other records. Wahoo also frequently break off, are hard to target, and are commonly taken by the tax man (shark), so this record will likely stand for some time unless someone gets lucky!


Where is the best place to catch Wahoo?


Wahoo are distributed throughout warm waters worldwide and can be found in most tropical and subtropical sportfisheries around the world. Common destinations outside the US include the Bahamas and Mexico, but this is a common “bycatch” in many regions around the world while trolling. The more temperate the waters, the more likely the wahoo is to be seasonal.

When should I catch Wahoo?

The best season for Wahoo in the Gulf of Mexico is both November to February and again in August to September, although for much of the year wahoo are an incredible bycatch if you are lucky enough. On the Atlantic side, wahoo will swim north in the warmer spring and summer months and otherwise be found closer to south Florida and the Keys.

The season in the US is always open, so if you can find them you can keep them. There is no size limit and a bag limit of 2 only exists in Florida, Maryland, and the Carolinas.

How do you catch Wahoo?

Wahoo are pelagic and are generally a solitary fish, preferring to swim either alone or in fairly small groups. Because of this, they are usually caught on accident while trolling or targeting other species because they are hard to predict.

If you want to target wahoo specifically, you definitely want to set up a high-speed troll with artificial lures (or a slightly slower speed for live bait) on downriggers about 20-40 feet down. You really can’t troll too fast for a wahoo, and they are also happy to munch close to the boat. You can use a standard 80 or 100 lb braid and Rapalas.

They’ll make a big initial run and may give a few acrobatic jumps, so make sure you have a wire leader so make sure the wahoo doesn’t slice right through your line


Are Wahoo good to eat? What are the best Wahoo recipes?

Wahoo meat is white to grey, and delicate to dense, and is known to be delicious both raw and cooked. If they were easier to catch, the fish would almost certainly command a bigger commercial market. As it stands, if you are lucky enough to catch some, you are in for a treat. The flavor is somewhat mild and can be slightly oily (reminiscent of other mackerel). The Hawaiian word for Wahoo is “Ono” which translates to “good to eat”. We recommend eating some raw right off the boat before taking some home to grill for a firm, white, crisp grilled fish.

Recent Reviews

  • ★★★★★
    We had an amazing trip with Captain Tony. He was super knowledgeable, kind and patient with a new young angler. He put us directly on fish and specifically the tuna we wanted. We will fish with Tony again for sure. If you are looking for guide, Tony is the man and knows the Key West waters and area well being born and raised in Key West.

    Britt B. | February 18, 2025

    Trip: Offshore Fishing,Reef & Wreck and Sunset

  • ★★★★★
    We had a wonderful afternoon fishing with Antonio and Tony!! Very pleasant and attentive, constantly moving to find us the best spots. Went above and beyond to ensure we caught fish, even on a slow day. Would highly recommend

    Rodney G. | February 9, 2025

    Trip: Offshore Fishing,Reef & Wreck and Sunset

  • ★★★★★
    Carlos and his crews were fantastic! Very communicative before we arrived, making sure that he was planning to help us get just what we wanted out of our fishing charter! When it came to the day, our guides were knowledgeable, friendly and very hard working. They kept our lines out and baited all day long, and our catch certainly showed it!

    Tyler V. | February 1, 2025

    Trip: Tulum Trophy Hunt

  • ★★★★★
    We had a great experience with Captain Bryan. He is knowledgeable and very personable. He has good stories and a friendly pup. It was my dream to catch a shark and boy did we get lucky! I will not forget that day!

    Christina F. | January 12, 2025

    Trip: 4 hr Offshore Big Game Trip

  • ★★★★★
    Had a great trip with Brad. He was prompt and polite, but most importantly, a very attentive and experienced captain. He gave us many options for our outing and let us determine the course of our day. Highly recommend!

    Curtis C. | January 10, 2025

    Trip: Key West Mixed Bag Trip

  • ★★★★★
    Great day on the water, clean boat, great captain, excellent food, TOP NOTCH SERVICE! We will fish again soon!

    Jerry W. | December 30, 2024

    Trip: Cabo VIP Fishing - 32’ Luhrs

  • ★★★★★
    Great trip! Will be booking again soon

    Damion G. | December 30, 2024

    Trip: Morning half 60' Hatteras

  • ★★★★★
    Brad and his first mate were first class. Helped us fish for all different kinds of fish. We even caught a 6 foot sailfish! Our family had a very nice time and highly recommend Captain Brad!

    Michael V. | December 25, 2024

    Trip: Key West Mixed Bag Trip

  • ★★★★★
    We had an outstanding day fishing with Rooster & Braxton on Christmas Eve Day. We limited out on red snappers in a hour with a 12 pound average. Would recommend Rooster as a captain because he is very knowledgeable & patient with novice anglers.

    Brian M. | December 24, 2024

    Trip: Captain Daniel's Fish Frenzy

  • ★★★★★
    This was our first ever marlin trip and we had an absolutely insane time! We had a marlin bite within 30 mins of leaving the marina which was so crazy for us being from TX. The views of the Big Island with Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea were breathtaking and provided us with lake flat seas by blocking the wind. We ended up going 2/3 on blue marlin with my brother bringing in a 700 pounder. Thanks Capt. and mate Bo, epic times and we'll be back!

    Jonathan N. | December 9, 2024

    Trip: Kona Legendary Sportfishing

  • ★★★★★
    Captain Bryan took my sons and I out on a beautiful day through the Haulover Inlet, which was so much fun. we trolled we bought fished we kite fished… We caught sharks, mahi, mahi, and blackfin tuna! Captain Bryan brought his cool little dog along, and we all had a great day!

    John H. | November 11, 2024

    Trip: 4 hr Offshore Big Game Trip

  • ★★★★★
    We had a blast with Joe and Captain Chuck. Will definitely return!

    Yohannes H. | October 28, 2024

    Trip: Legendary Fishing in Key West

  • ★★★★★
    Great experience. Sympatic guys. I can only recommend

    Vejvar M. | October 17, 2024

    Trip: 4 hr Offshore Big Game Trip

  • ★★★★★
    Local boys that knew the spots even in the off season. What more could you want

    Bryan K. | October 12, 2024

    Trip: 5-Hour Nearshore Trip AM or PM

  • ★★★★★
    Captain Byran is so fun and so professional in fishing. I love his dog, she went fishing with us and she’s so kind with my kids. We had the best time together! Definitely recommend captain Bryan for your advisor!

    Luxi W. | October 12, 2024

    Trip: 4 hr Offshore Big Game Trip

  • ★★★★★
    We had such a great time and our guide was fun, knowledgeable, and put us on the fish all trip! We will be going back for sure.

    Rae S. | October 6, 2024

    Trip: Key West Offshore Action

  • ★★★★★
    Had a really great time it was my son‘s birthday and my two grandsons was with him and a couple of friends and Captain Willis really did this extraordinarily great great kid Jake his first mate was jumping around the boat putting bait on my hooks really did great. I recommend this crew For your fishing experience and later met the owner Danny at his restaurant, all the guys are telling Danny about their experience on the boat. All excited the food was good at the restaurant Danny’s group at the restaurant was perfect. Danny is the owner was really phenomenal, on his appreciation of our decision to do business with his Services offered. If you’re looking to have a great experience, I would suggest you look these guys up in Port Aransas

    David L. | October 6, 2024

    Trip: Into the Depths- Captain Daniel

  • ★★★★★
    Awesome trip. Captain Bill was a complete professional and put us right on the fish. Everyone left happy with plenty of pictures and a full cooler. First mate Ashley was one of the best I've ever seen at what she does.

    Tommy O. | September 30, 2024

    Trip: Big Boat Mixed Bag

  • ★★★★★
    Nathan was great as our captain. Took us right to the fish!

    Stephen M. | September 20, 2024

    Trip: PCB Reefs and Trolling

  • ★★★★★
    Hey Captain Experiences! Captain Eddie and Fisher are a great crew. Captain Eddie did his best to get us on fish and he did, we just had trouble with the dolphins stealing our bait. As much as the dolphins are cute and cool to see, they can be annoying to say the least. Fisher was very informative, not only about fish and dolphins, but also about how weather and moon cycles play out into catching fish as well. The boat is a very nice 55 for boat. Very clean and in top notch condition for the year! We recommend Captain Eddie and Fisher very highly. When we come back to Gulf shores, we will be calling on Captain Experiences, Captain Eddie and Fisher. We feel we have made two new friends. Thanks for the great and fun time guys. Bill

    William H. | September 18, 2024

    Trip: 6-Hour Bottom/Trolling - 55' Gillman

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