Wahoo Fishing Guide

The wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri) is widely considered the fastest fish in the ocean for sustained speed — a narrow, torpedo-shaped body covered in iridescent vertical blue bars, powerful forked tail, and a beak-like snout housing razor-sharp serrated teeth built for cutting large prey in half. Average weights run 20–50 pounds but the IGFA record exceeds 184 pounds. Wahoo are solitary to loosely schooling fish rarely found in the large aggregations common to tuna or mahi-mahi. They are famous for their blistering first run when hooked, often taking 100–200 yards of line in seconds. In the Bahamas and Caribbean, wahoo are called 'peto' and are a cherished local food fish. The Bahamas hosts some of the world's finest wahoo fishing, particularly in winter around the offshore banks.

Wahoo is a saltwater species.

Habitat

Tropical and subtropical offshore waters worldwide; in US waters, most abundant in the Gulf of Mexico, South Atlantic Bight, and off Hawaii. Strongly associated with temperature breaks, current edges, and offshore structure including underwater pinnacles, canyon walls, and floating weed lines. A deep-trolling species found from the surface down to 200+ feet.

Diet

Primarily small tuna (particularly skipjack), mackerel, squid, and flying fish — any fast-moving prey of appropriate size. Wahoo often cut prey in half with their serrated teeth before turning to swallow the pieces — a distinctive attack behavior that anglers must account for by using long-shank hooks or wire traces.

Fishing Techniques

Best Seasons

Fall, Winter

Size & Records

Average weight: 30 lbs. World record: 184 lbs (Cabo San Lucas, Mexico (2005)).