Mississippi Drug Rehab: Wahoo in Mississippi

“Look at that!” yelled James Cody. My college roommate and fishing buddy as the fish bursts from the water like a sea monster in a horror movie. Its torpedo shape, barracuda-like mouth, and tiger stripes immediately let us know that it is a Hoo.

Referred to by its scientific name, Acanthocybium solandri, the Wahoo is a favorite of pelagic fisherman along the Gulf Coast. It has a short and rectangular dorsal fin that kind of reminds you of Spiderman’s boss J Jonah Jameson’s crew cut. Resembling a giant king or Spanish mackerel (which are its smaller cousins), the wahoo usually carries war paint in the form of dark vertical stripes along its mid-section. The back of the fish is usually a deep vivid blue while he sides are silver. This tiger of the ocean is a beast on the line and most salt-water anglers compare the fight to billfish.

The current Mississippi Department of Marine Resources’ all tackle official wahoo record weight is 111-pounds 3.2 ounces caught in 2005 by angler Jeffery A Lee. In 2011, by a matter of 6/10 of an ounce, Mississippi angler Steve Atwood just narrowly missed the besting that record by the narrowest of margins. This compares well to the current All Tackle IGFA record for a catching an eight foot long, 184 lbs 0 oz. beast caught in 2005 off Cabo San Lucas , Mexico by noted female angler Sara Hayward.

Many anglers are moving to the challenge of going after these torpedoes using ultra-light tackle. Landing a thirty pound, ‘Hoo on 8.8pound test is a blast. While a current Mississippi Fly fishing record for Wahoo does not exist, it is certainly a challenge waiting for someone who can pull it off and has lots of line to spare.

No matter what the line strength and type, be sure to run up against these speed freaks with a good stout leader. Rated for 100# plus and at least 48-inches long is a good rule of thumb for leader size. US Navy MK48 torpedoes run at about 40kts. While this is fast, it should be remembered that wahoo could outrun a torpedo all day, breaking speeds estimated as fast as 60mph. Wahoo tend to explode onto bait, grab it and run away so be ready for a good fight and be in touch with your drag. The fight is different from other offshore game fish and is actually almost unique. Expect them to run just under the surface out towards the horizon. This is different from tuna that fight all the way up, then back. Unlike billfish, wahoo typically will not break the surface and porpoise either.

Found wherever there are warm waters around the world, the wahoo is typically a loner. Even when they rarely travel in groups, such as during the spring and fall migrations through the Gulf, it is in very small groups. The best time of year to find them in Mississippi waters is during the warm period between May and October. Occasionally you will find them around blue water structure such as oilrigs and large sea buoys if many baitfish are present. This makes it hard to specifically target wahoo and most anglers catch them almost by accident while trolling for tuna and dolphin. You can increase your chances of wahoo strikes by using squid, the manna of the gods for wahoo. As an alternative almost any rigged live bait with significant hook size and very large (think paint-stirrer size) artificials can work.

These bad boys are delicious and honestly, I can think of no other game fish that can beat it. The meat is almost pure white and while being filleted you almost mistake it for chicken breast in appearance. My neighbor who professes to hate fish even loves it.

Bottom line is, gear up, bait up, and go trolling until you get your first. After that, you will figure out why they are called ‘wahoo!’

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