Wahoo across North Carolina
wahoo, North Carolina limits and records.
- 2 a daydaily creel
- 150 lb. 0 oz.record
Photo of Autryville: User:Dincher, CC BY-SA 3.0
wahoo, the state picture
The state counts Wahoo (Acanthocybium solanderi) as a saltwater fish. For coastal fishing waters, NCDMF lists 2 a day and no size limit.
The North Carolina record weighed 150 lb. 0 oz., from Ocracoke (1994). NCDMF citation: Award for harvest of fish, 40 pounds or greater.
NCDMF on wahoo
“The wahoo has a long, narrow body, a long snout and a long dorsal fin. Its body is steel blue on top and pale blue on the bottom. There are 25 to 30 blackish-blue vertical bands that extend down the side to below the lateral line. Wahoo have no gill rakers.”
- SizeWahoo grow to 6 feet and 100 pounds.
- HabitatThe wahoo is an offshore, warm-water fish usually found alone or in small groups congregating near drifting objects like seaweed. In the western Atlantic, they range from New Jersey to Colombia, migrating through the Gulf Stream north in the summer and returning to the tropics in the winter.
- DietWahoo feed primarily on other fish like frigate mackerel, butterfish porcupine fish and round herring, as well as squid. They aggressively pursue and overcome their prey, capturing the fish with their strong jaws.
- Fishing tipsAnglers catch wahoo with boats trolling at high speeds over deep ocean waters. Many use heavy fishing lines rigged with artificial lures, such as brightly colored ballyhoo skirts on wire leaders. High speed plugs and lures are also used.
- Confused withking mackerel
Quoted from the NCDMF species profile, checked October 2026.
Creel and size for wahoo
| Agency | Where | Daily creel | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCDMF | Coastal fishing waters | 2 a day | no size limit | open all year unless closed by proclamation |
NCWRC 2026-27 digest and NCDMF proclamations. All North Carolina limits.
State record wahoo
| Category | Weight | Where | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| all tackle by weight | 150 lb. 0 oz. | Ocracoke | 1994 |
NCWRC and NCDMF state records. Angler names left out.
Kin to wahoo
- Red drumsalt
- Spotted seatroutsalt
- Southern floundersalt
- Summer floundersalt
- Gulf floundersalt
- Weakfishsalt
- Black drumsalt
- Sheepsheadsalt
- Atlantic croakersalt
- Spotsalt
- Kingfishessalt
- Bluefishsalt
- Cobiasalt
- King mackerelsalt
Scenes from waters by Wahoo
Photo: Kathryn Meyer, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Dacoslett, Public domain
Photo: Brian Stansberry, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Townofduck, Public domain
wahoo in a few answers
What size rule covers wahoo?
2 a day (Coastal fishing waters), size no size limit.
What does the record wahoo weigh?
150 lb. 0 oz. from Ocracoke (1994).
Which habitats hold wahoo?
The wahoo is an offshore, warm-water fish usually found alone or in small groups congregating near drifting objects like seaweed. In the western Atlantic, they range from New Jersey to Colombia, migrating through the Gulf Stream north in th
Will NCWRC stock wahoo this year?
No 2026 stocking is listed.
How large can wahoo grow?
Wahoo grow to 6 feet and 100 pounds.
Are wahoo open to harvest year-round?
open all year unless closed by proclamation
What license do wahoo anglers carry?
Coastal waters take a Coastal Recreational Fishing License from age 16 ($20 resident, $40 nonresident).
Do charters target wahoo?
No listing names it.
Chase wahoo across North Carolina
Open a water above for ramps and limits.