UTERWahoo fishing in Hawaii
In Hawaii, wahoo peak June–October and are around year-round, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. June: High-speed trolling along the ledges and the 100-fathom line.
Fall ono strong on Oahu and Maui ledges.
Wahoo in Hawaii, month by month
- JanuaryAround
- FebruaryAround
- MarchAround
- AprilAround
- MayArrivingOno season starts around the May full moon off Kona.
- JunePeakHigh-speed trolling along the ledges and the 100-fathom line.
- JulyPeakPeak marlin and ahi; shoreline ulua at night. Tournament-season marlin; ika-shibi at night for ahi; slide-bait ulua on the ledges.
- AugustPeakPeak.
- SeptemberPeak
- OctoberPeakFall ono strong on Oahu and Maui ledges.
- NovemberLeavingTapering.
- DecemberAround
Where to fish wahoo near Kona, Hilo, Honolulu
Volcanic islands with deep water close to shore — the Kona coast drops to thousands of feet within a few miles — fringing reefs, sand channels and flats on the older islands, and a network of FADs (fish aggregation buoys) offshore.
Fish Scouter charts 97 wreck, 29 artificial reef spots in the The Hawaiian Islands 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 Hawaii?
Peak season is June–October. Wahoo are here year-round. June: High-speed trolling along the ledges and the 100-fathom line.
Where do wahoo hold in Hawaii?
Look on ledge / hard bottom, artificial reef — around Kona, Hilo, Honolulu, Waianae, Lahaina, Kahului.
What is the best bait for wahoo in Hawaii?
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 Hawaii?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the Hawaii DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) and change — read the current rule at https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dar/fishing/fishing-regulations/ before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dar/fishing/licenses-and-permits/.
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All about wahoo · The Hawaiian Islands, the whole year