Couldn’t resist the weather so went out in search of a Wahoo. Put out the baits in about 1200’ in 69 degree water. Trolled a couple hours across a bunch of current and temperature rips with no luck. Finally the starboard short rigger pops and I see what looks like a Mahi break the surface. Brought it to the boat and sure enough it was a good sized cow - 44" length. We couldn’t believe it but were happy to finally put some meat in the boat. Maybe she was lost? Trolled the rest of the day with absolutely nothing. The water was slick as glass and we could see what looked like schools of small tuna busting the surface no less than ten different times. Tried trolling past them but no bites. Any time we tried to get close enough to pitch baits they disappeared. I wonder if they were Blackfin?? Little Tunny??
Went to clean the fish tonight and noticed something that looks like parasites on the skin. Has anyone ever seen something like this? Can I still clean and eat this fish?
We were out the 31st and saw the same. I think they were little tunny - we even tried getting in front with engines off (Stealth Mode) they came right under the boat without even a look at what we had to offer??? Nice Catch on the Mahi. Nothing from me about the parasites - 20 years offshore but never caught one in January either!!
Too deep for wahoo? I didn’t know they only hung out in certain depths. For some reason the wahoos seem to avoid me like the plague. Later in the day we headeded north to 180-250 ft and the only signs of life we saw were sea turtles - lots of them. At least we didn’t come back empty handed and were able to do 45 all the way back in.
The hoos tend to congregate around the break, and around massive schools of bait. I can’t say I have had a ton of luck in water over 600-800 feet. But then again I don’t fish for them around here till April.
The hoos tend to congregate around the break, and around massive schools of bait. I can’t say I have had a ton of luck in water over 600-800 feet. But then again I don’t fish for them around here till April.
We catch quite a few Wahoo, from North Carolina to Key West, Bahamas to Cuba, Belize to Costa Rica and beyond. In over 40 years of fishing for them the average water depth we do best is 200’. Sometimes a little shallower, sometimes a little deeper, but not much. You might pick up a stray anywhere, but 175-250 is the magic numbers for me. I’ve never found them to be a really deep water fish, they seem to like the edges. I’ve caught a few in deeper water, and a few in shallower, but if I’m targeting Wahoo I’m going to be fishing between 150 and 250’.
Nice cow, maybe she just let out a bunch of little 'uns for us and the spring bite will be on!
THose parasites are typical, in the winter when there are less fish in the GS here, they pile on the available fish in greater numbers. Although if you’re nervous about eating the meat, I’ll be happy to make sure it is safe.
As long as they arent in the meat you should be fine. Even then, if you cook them I hear its safe. Whats not safe is eating it raw with parasitic meat. Even then I heard a mahi under 3m could be unsafe that way.
