UTERWahoo fishing in The First Coast
In The First Coast, wahoo peak April and October–November and are around year-round, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. April: Spring wahoo on the ledges.
Fall wahoo on the ledges.
Wahoo in The First Coast, month by month
- JanuaryAround
- FebruaryAround
- MarchArriving
- AprilPeakSpring wahoo on the ledges.
- MayAround
- JuneAround
- JulyAround
- AugustAround
- SeptemberArriving
- OctoberPeakFall wahoo on the ledges.
- NovemberPeak
- DecemberAround
Where to fish wahoo near Daytona Beach, St. Augustine, Jacksonville
Spartina marsh, oyster-lined creeks and the Intracoastal from Ponce Inlet to the Georgia line, the St. Johns River and the Mayport jetties, St. Augustine and Matanzas inlets, and the beaches. More like Georgia's lowcountry than the rest of Florida.
Fish Scouter charts 191 wreck, 130 artificial reef, 43 ledge / hard bottom spots in the The First Coast map area — the kinds wahoo hold on.
What to use for wahoo
- BallyhooRigged on a wire or mono trolling rig, skipping or swimming, behind a skirt or naked.
- Blue runners (hardtails)Nose-hooked and slow-trolled on a wire stinger rig for kings; bridled for sailfish and cobia.
- Goggle-eyesBridled through the eye sockets for sailfish and kingfish, kite-fished or slow-trolled.
- Opelu (mackerel scad)Bridled live and slow-trolled or drifted down for ahi, ono and marlin; cut for bottom fishing.
- Leader40–60 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook4/0–8/0
- Braid50–100 lb
Feeds in 70–86°F water, best at 74–82°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch wahoo in The First Coast?
Peak season is April and October–November. Wahoo are here year-round. April: Spring wahoo on the ledges.
Where do wahoo hold in The First Coast?
Look on wreck, artificial reef — around Daytona Beach, St. Augustine, Jacksonville, Mayport, Fernandina Beach.
What is the best bait for wahoo in The First Coast?
Live bait: ballyhoo, blue runners (hardtails), goggle-eyes, opelu (mackerel scad). Ballyhoo: Rigged on a wire or mono trolling rig, skipping or swimming, behind a skirt or naked. Tackle: leader 40–60 lb fluorocarbon, hook 4/0–8/0, braid 50–100 lb.
What are the rules for wahoo in The First Coast?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and change — read the current rule at https://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/ before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://myfwc.com/license/recreational/.
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All about wahoo · The First Coast, the whole year