Wahoo
Food Quality:
Avg. Length
2-6ft
Avg. Weight
10-70lbs
World Record
184lbs
FL Record
139lbs
View Regulations
Scientific Name
Acanthocybium solandri
Common Names
Peto, Ono,Oahu fish, Ocean barracuda, Pacific kingfish, Pride of Bermuda, Queenfish, Tigerfish
Description
The Wahoo is a long, pencil-like, mackerel fish with a angular head and forked tail. The coloration of the Wahoo is defined by it’s sliver to silver grey, striped appearance. The owner of a considerable articulated upper jaw and large teeth, complete with a fold of skin covering the mandible jaw when resting. The Wahoo also has a lateral line that straightens across the fish, breaking into a more variable pattern near the tail.
Habitat & Behaviour
Wahoo's are found mostly within mid-level waters and are referred to as pelagic. These fish migrate, although they do so in very small groups or alone. Where smaller fish are abundant this aggressive and speedy fish will hunt, making it often frequent wrecks, reefs, banks, floatsome and pinnacles.
Natural Prey
The Wahoo consumes other smaller fish like mackerel, herring and menhaden, as well as squid.
Handling Tips
With the a very sharp teeth you definitely want to keep fingers away from its mouth. Larger ones you can gaff behind head or grab by tail and throw ‘em in, smaller ones net. Handle with a rag if you plan to keep them, if not don’t wipe slime off them. Grab behind the head with a wet rag (into the gills) pinch with index finger and thumb. If harvesting, good tip to completely cover in ice (don’t just lay on top of ice in cooler). Add ice to salt water – makes a brine – very cold – will freeze your fish (not hard) but firms the meat up nicely for easy filleting.
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