Damn Good Wahoo Fishing Charters

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Wahoo Fishing Charters

Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Deep Sea Fishing in Destin

Spring Offshore Special

100% (12) Guided by Matthew
42 ft 1 - 6 People From $2,280
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Deep Sea Fishing in Morehead City

Cape Lookout Offshore

100% (1) Guided by Mike
35 ft 1 - 12 People From $3,000
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Deep Sea, Nearshore Fishing in Destin

SPRING 64’ Private Fishing Charter

100% (1) Guided by Tony
64 ft 1 - 6 People From $1,100
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Deep Sea Fishing in Eleele

6 Hour Hawaiian Sportfishing

100% (1) Guided by Rob
42 ft 1 - 6 People From $1,280
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Deep Sea Fishing in Islamorada

Mahi, Tuna, & Billfish Trip

NEW Guided by Rick
23 ft 1 - 4 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 Fishing in Key West

Key West Sportfishing Adventure!

100% (8) Guided by Craig
42 ft 1 - 6 People From $900
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Everything to Know About Booking a wahoo fishing charter

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

  • ★★★★★
    Captain Don was very knowledgeable and very patient, especially with our 15 year old son! We caught several yellow-tail snapper and learned so much! Would absolutely book with Captain Don again & highly recommend!! Thank you, Sir, for a wonderful fishing charter experience in the beautiful Islamorada!!

    Takieah F. | May 1, 2025

    Trip: Ocean Thrills with Captain Don

  • ★★★★★
    Great trip. Thanks we will use you guys again

    John W. | April 27, 2025

    Trip: Offshore Hookfest

  • ★★★★★
    Captain Antonio and his son did a great job. Weather/wind was not ideal but they made sure we had a great experience and we caught some fish!

    Jordan G. | April 24, 2025

    Trip: Offshore Fishing,Reef & Wreck and Sunset

  • ★★★★★
    Had a good trip. Water was a little rough, but what can you do. Caught plenty of fish with three keeper snappers. Trolled back to the marina and hit two Jack Crevale’s. What a fight they put up. Next time I am thinking of trolling the entire trip! Emilio & Logan were great.

    Daniel D. | April 17, 2025

    Trip: South Padre Island Deep Sea

  • ★★★★★
    Our Crew Luis and Manuel on the "Hot Tuna" were great. They never stopped working to get on the fish. Lines and bait were always in the water and their communication was excellent. I'll be on the boat again soon.

    Paul N. | April 15, 2025

    Trip: Cancun Big Game - 25' Panga

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