Rigged and ready for battle, Miami's Top-Vee heads off in search of productive grounds.

tatewide, the unforgettable re- phin are tasty, blackfin pull hard and enthusiasts to effectively target these super- S sults that come with high-speed sailfish lead our pelagic plethora in acrobatic fast speedsters at ridiculous speeds wahoo trolling are typically the abilities, but when it comes to shear velocity, once thought impossible. Forget 12, 14 or same - periods of anticipation highlighted wahoo swim alone! For decades, anglers in- even 16-knots, how about 20-knots plus! You by bursts of blistering strikes. Neverthe- the-know have been taking these ferocious heard right; 20-knots plus! Warp-Speed less, one thing is for certain, two or three fighters by means of a variety of tactics; live To cash in on this adrenaline-filled - drag-screaming wahoo in a row will quick- bait fishing…slow-trolling…kite-fishing…all ery, understanding the tips, tricks, tackle ly satisfy any blue-water angler’s expecta- are effective and all continue to account for and techniques employed during these tions – that’s a guarantee! respectable numbers of these highly-prized insanely fast pursuits will surely help put For anglers, wahoo represent the game fish year after year. Recntly, advance- more trophy ‘hoo in the box! The laT esT obsession in T he making… pinnacle of offshore excitement. Sure, dol- ments in technology have permitted wahoo BY CAPTAIN MIKE GENOUN

Wahoo endlessimagery.com PHOTOGRAPHY:

52-109.indd 58 10/15/08 2:59:14 PM 52-109.indd 59 10/15/08 2:59:21 PM warp-Speed Warp-Speed waHoo Wahoo

When the men is not unheard of and How big do an otherwise gently slop- bite is on, the wahoo grow? results can definitely not hard to be- Just ask the ing region. Fortunately for be more than lieve, especially for such a crew aboard impressive. Zephyros. warp-speed wackos resid- specialized hunter capable ing in the southeast stretch of racing through dense ocean depths at of the state through the prolific Florida I-95 speeds. Keys, promising grounds mean a short run Typically, wahoo are not a school- of only a few miles. For Gulf Coast gurus ing fish. They tend to be solitary hunt- the story is not the same, as a significant ers, although they may occur in loose amount of fuel may need to be sacrificed congregations patrolling the same in order to reach pay dirt. forage-rich strike zones. Their diet con- Temperature breaks…current rips… sists primarily of , juvenile tuna, floating debris…the presence of bait- , dolphinfish and squid. How- fish…working birds…all are signs that ever, a hungry wahoo will not hesitate can lead to warp-speed success and chasing down and devouring just about should not be overlooked. anything that is unfortunate enough to swim in its field of view. When to put the pedal to the metal HiGH Speed wHat While wahoo are caught during every The debate still continues over the true month of the year, the season many of definition of “high-speed” trolling, as us highly anticipate generally peaks just one man’s “fast” may be another’s “slow.” a week or two before Thanksgiving and One thing that we know for certain is Some may try and convince you that runs strong through the tail end of March. that you can’t outrun a full-grown ‘hoo. trolling for any pelagic at such a high rate of Unfortunately, this same time frame co- They’re simply too fast. For the sake of speed is at best a futile attempt at offshore incides with the strongest winds of the Get to know ‘Hoo The business end of a wahoo is this application, anything less than 14 to “ success. They would be incorrect. year (hurricane season aside), and can In case your offshore career just got equipped with large upper and lower in- 16-knots and consider yourself searching create treacherous conditions best left to underway, here is a brief introduction cisors lined with closely positioned den- for dolphin. To truly enjoy the benefits ing for any pelagic at such a high rate of Wahoo Where super-size sportos. However, windows of to the target species. Wahoo are found tures as sharp as a surgeon’s scalpel. While of ultra high-speed wahoo trolling, get speed is ludacrious and nothing more Regardless where your search pattern lies, opportunity do open, allowing small to worldwide in both tropical and subtropi- little is still known about their character- the boat up on plane and push the guage than a waste of precious fuel. They would a number of factors remain the same. mid-size open-fisherman an equal oppor- cal seas. The missile-like fish’s blistering istics, it is believed growth is rapid. Under up to 20-knots. Trust me, if you put in the be incorrect. Structure is key. Distinct ledges…drop- tunity to safely and effectively cash in on speed and top-quality table fare distin- ideal conditions, gaining close to two- time; you, too, will become a believer! One of the advantages of trolling at offs…just about any irregularity lying be- the chaotic wintertime action. guish it as a prize catch for anglers of all pounds per month for a maturing speci- Some may try and convince you that troll- cruising speed is that you can relocate be- low 100 to 300-feet of clean, nutrient-rich skill levels. Shaped like a deadly torpedo, tween promising areas that are relatively blue-water that attracts bait; will attract tackle hoW a wahoo’s elongated body is covered with The missile-like fish’s blistering speed and close in a short period of time without wahoo, too. Fifty miles off the First Coast, Appropriate gear for this fishery does not small, barely visible scales for minimal re- top-quality table fare distinguish it as a prize having to retrieve your spread. An addi- even a minimal drop-off from 180-feet to come easy, and is certainly not for the faint sistance. For a few extra mph when they catch for anglers of all skill levels. tional benefit is the tremendous amount 200-feet is a significant wahoo-magnet in of heart. For starters, stout aluminum- need it most, wahoo tuck their peck and “ of productive water you can cover. In only dorsal fins into perfectly streamlined in- a few hours of fishing, you can effectively dentations. Most don’t know this, but troll your lures for over 60-miles! Taking wahoo also have the supernatural ability this fact into consideration, it stands to exude a unique slime coat that makes to reason that the more promising ter- their body extra slippery during sudden ritory you pull your It pays to prepare bursts of aggression. baits through, the more for the elements Propulsion for this magnificent hunt- likely you are to cross when targeting wintertime 'hoo. er is generated by a powerful tail fin gy- paths with the targeted rating back and forth at unimaginable species and thus, the more strikes you

speeds. Close cousins to the Armed with will potentially experience. Also, speed is , wahoo are razor sharp clearly an enticement for wahoo, as these dentures, camouflaged in a mythical- wahoo fish thrive on tuna and bonito, some of like striped pattern high- are killing the fastest fish in the sea. Any consis- machines. lighted by iridescent hues tently successful wahoo angler will tell of silver and blue, which quickly fade to you wahoo enjoy a good chase. Lets also a pale bluish gray at death. From above not forget that when ’hoos smash a lure or below, these silent hunters magically trolled at such high speed, a solid hook 60 melt into their surroundings, leaving set is fairly certain - a positive factor for 61 unsuspecting prey no chance of escaping a fishery that is not about catch and re-

their deadly attacks. (3), e ndlessimagery.com right) wolfden.com from bottom (clockwise PHOTOGRAPHY: lease, but rather about catch and kill!

FSF MAG NOVEMBER.DECEMBER.2008 FLORIDASPORTFISHING.COM FSF MAG

52-109.indd 60 10/15/08 2:59:29 PM 52-109.indd 61 10/15/08 2:59:37 PM Warp-Speed Warp-Speed Wahoo Wahoo

this fact may be true, options do exist. Ballyhood Lures based in crews devote the first two or three hours of light to high-speed- Santa Ana, California, is one particular manufacturer who has taken ing and then switch off in search of other species. One thing to high-speed wahoo trolling to a whole new level with the introduc- consider is that records and rumors both indicate that a greater RunnInG tion of the Banchee. I have caught numerous fish on this lure, so I number of these magnificent fish fall victim to anglers’ efforts lIne believe in it! Water pours through the Banchee, rather than around during the first hour or two after sunrise. However make no it. Its open-face provides virtually no resistance and keeps the lure mistake; these highly specialized predators kill from dawn to tracking in the strike zone at ridiculously high speeds. A 32 or 48 dusk. Get out there and give warp-speed wahoo trolling a try. If oz. Banchee can effectively be pulled at 20-plus knots without the at first you don’t succeed, don’t give up. Good things come to addition of a trolling lead. For an added level of enticement, the those who put in the time. FSF 300 lB. BAll-BeARInG Banchee’s cylindrical head emits an “Eat Me” rattle that can snAP-sWIvel be homed-in on from a mile away. Regardless which lures you A“ 32 or 48 oz. choose to pull, one thing is for sure; your offerings must be Banchee can heavy and specifically designed for the rigors of high-speed 18 In. wahoo trolling, otherwise the fakes will skip across the sur- effectively be pulled face. Ideally, the idea is to mimic a fleeing bonito or juvenile at 20-plus knots without the addition The Banchee's TROllInG WeIGHT open-face provides W/ CABle TAGs of a trolling lead. little resistance.

butt rods are a must! I prefer Profile’s line Talking terminal tackle, this is certainly 18 In. GUARANTEED of offshore trolling sticks because they no place to skimp. Once an aggressive wa- are assembled with Stuart© components hoo strikes, any weak links in your connec- WAHOO ON ICE that are built to withstand the stresses tions will undoubtedly come back to haunt associated with such extreme fishing. A you. Knots are a no-no. Rather all connec- CRImPed COnneCTIOns 50-pound ballistic missile racing due west tions should be properly crimped in order WWW.TIKIBARLURES.COM with its turbo charger engaged while your to avoid tackle failure. This measure will twin outboard powered center-console is surely resut in more fish in the box. boogying east at 20-mph does, in fact, cre- Don’t forget that once a wahoo is hooked ate a significant amount of tension. Add a up and line is melting off your reel as your 9"" 32 oz. bullet and three-pounds of trolling- clicker is screaming, even repositioning a 30 fT. 300 lB. TesT lead between you and your fleeing quarry loaded trolling outfit from a rod holder to º/"*Ê1 »Ê1, - sHOCk leAdeR and it is easy to understand why this is no a fighting belt comes with its own set of place for 20lb. class tackle. challenges. Add in a rocking boat and an “BANCHEE” SUPREME As far as reels are concerned, line capac- inexperienced angler, and you will quickly …it is a common 48 oz. 0-25 Knots! ity must be in excess of 500-yards and the realize that seriously targeting big wahoo is misconception that heavy NO TROLLING reel must be equipped with a reliable drag not child’s play. A safety line tethering your high-speed lures track 15 or WEIGHT REQUIRED 300 lB. system capable of slamming the brakes on gear to the boat isn’t an option, but a man- 20-feet below the surface. CHROMED BRASS- RIGGED ‘N’ BAll-BeARInG “ READY! W/ 480 # STAINLESS CABLE snAP-sWIvel a runaway freight train. Two-speed reels datory measure toward preventing the loss are nice, but not necessary. Back in the of an expensive trolling outfit. skipjack swimming for its life just below the trailing end of f™™Ê‡Ê 1 -Ê Ê day, Senator 6/0s were all we fished and Warp-speed wahoo fishing is strictly a your boat’s white water. I point this out because it is a com- f£nÊ, * /Ê they held up nicely. When it comes to line, lure game, as natural baits quickly wash mon misconception that heavy high-speed lures track 15 or -,/Ê/ 36 In. fresh 80lb. monofilament will outperform out at such high trolling speeds. Logic will 20-feet below the surface. Negative! At 20-knots, even with -/,/Ê/," Ê/ Ê  1/ Ê9"1Ê 6 Ê/ Ê "  CABle leAdeR its braided counterpart in this application. tell you that any skirted trolling lure that the addition of a trolling weight, your lures are swimming no 12 "",- VI  Reason being; monofilament stretches and you pull through the water at such high ve- more than a foot or two below. acts as a giant shock absorber which helps locity must have a conical or bullet shaped ‘’WAHOO EXPRESS’’ prevent pulled hooks. head to cut through the resistance. While Spread to SucceSS 0-14 KNOTS Unlike typical trolling spreads consisting of six, eight or 9’’ X 14 oz. CHROMED BRASS - 300# ten lines, warp-speed wahoo trolling is better suited for no STAINLESS CABLE - 9/0 HOOK W/FISH Rig It Right more than three or four lures staggered at different lengths. ATTRACTING ‘’SPINNER BLADE’’ Crimp 80lb. test running line to a heavy- From the trailing end of the trolling To get you started, I recommend something fairly easy like f{™°™xʇÊÎÊ",Êf£Ó™ lead, a 300lb. test monofilament shock n: ro G er elli S , Jr. TRATIO duty ball-bearing 300lb. snap swivel. 200-feet, 300-feet, 400-feet, etc. You can adjust depending on BAHAMAS WAHOO /,"Ê/Ê 97 , Ê This is where your torpedo-shaped troll- leader, roughly 30-feet in length is CHAMPIONSHIP  Ê/ Ê*// , t ing weight is attached. You will often crimped on and again finished off with prevailing conditions. FAVORITE! a second heavy-duty ball-bearing snap see 18 to 24-inches of cable on either ALSO AVAILABLE - DOLPHIN “SLAMMERS” - DEEP DROP LIGHT RIGS - DAISY CHAINS - side of a trolling weight. This is to pre- swivel. This is where your lure with its ca- concluSion SPREADERS - MEGA MARLIN LURE ‘’JACKPOT’’ - TOP GUN TUNA RIGS - ‘’SQUID DOGS’’ vent cutoffs from toothy wahoo, which ble leader are attached. i prefer 36-inch- Considering everything involved, it’s obvious that super es of 400lb. multi-strand cable, though 62 are notorious for mistaking the lead for high-speed wahoo fishing isn't for everyone. If I have wet &2%%3AMEDAY3HIPPINGs9OUgLL.EEDA"IGGER&REEZER 63 an escaping meal. it’s happened to all of some guys prefer more. Any less and you us and it will happen to you. are asking for trouble. your appetite then prepare to burn more fuel than you Ç£{‡x{x‡ä£™ÈÊUÊ >Þ œœ`°Vœ“

Illus FSF MAG PHOTOGRAPHY: normally would when trolling. To keep expenses minimal,

FSF MAG NOVEMBER.DECEMBER.2008 FLORIDASPORTFISHING.COM FSF MAG

52-109.indd 62 10/15/08 6:34:10 PM 52-109.indd 63 10/15/08 2:59:56 PM