Target Species: Wahoo (Acanthocybium solanderi)
Other Common Names: ono (Hawaii), hoo, mackerel, tiger fish, ocean barracuda
Identification: Top of body is greenish to dark blue with at least 24 wavy cobalt blue vertical bars on the sides. Lower sides to belly are silver. Slender body with elongated jaws forming an almost beak like mouth with finely serrated triangular teeth. First dorsal fin is several times longer than the second which is followed by 8 or 9 finlets. The anal fin, located below the second dorsal, is followed by 9 finlets as well. Small scales cover body. Lateral line runs length of body curving abruptly below first dorsal fin.
Biological Info: Life span of 5-6 years reaching sexual maturity at 1 to 2 years. While they may spawn year -round in some areas these fish spawn from May-August, peaking in June and July in the western central Atlantic. Average female produces up to 60 million buoyant eggs at each spawning. Tend to be solitary but also form small, loose groups congregating around drifting objects including sargassum and kelp. Often suspend at mid-depth to near bottom in water as deep as 40 fathoms. Migrate seasonally moving into cooler waters in summer months.
Geographical Range: Worldwide distribution in tropical and subtropical waters. Inhabit Atlantic Ocean from North American coast to around 40ºW longitude and from approximately 35ºN to 38ºS latitude. Much more abundant in the north Atlantic around Bermuda and the Carolinas (US) in the warmer summer months. Also in the Gulf of Mexico. Found in the Mediterranean Sea. Also present in the Indian Ocean from the African coast to Sri Lanka. Occur in the Indo-Pacific region and around the central Pacific Islands to 150ºW. Found off the coasts of Mexico and Central America as well.
Favored Water Temp.: 70ºF-86ºF
Size: Can weigh over 100 lbs but more common around 40 lbs. Over 7' long, growing quickly, especially the first year.
IGFA Record: 158 lbs, 8 oz., Loreto, Baja California, México, 6/10/96. Sporting characteristics: Famous for ferocious, gear wrenching attacks followed by a blistering high speed run (up to 50 mph) of several hundred yards.
Food & Feeding Habits: Mainly eat other pelagic fish such as herring, sardines, pilchards, jacks, small mackerels, and flying fish as well as squid. Often suspend well below surface to attack prey above and below.
Fishing methods: Trolling from 10-20 knots. Also drifting and casting surface or sinking lures as well as live bait near floating debris and kelp.
Top Spots: Vatulele & Beqa off the Coral Coast of the Fiji Islands, May-August. Hawaii, June-August. Bermuda, May-August..
Conservation: Follow local regulations. Keep only what you will use for personal consumption.
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Wahoo
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