Wahoo at a glance
- Season here
- Best in fall (October to December) and spring (March to April); some year-round
- Where
- Gulf Stream edge, ledges, and drop-offs along the shelf break
- How
- High-speed trolling lures; ballyhoo with wire; planers and downriggers
- SC record
- 130 lb 5 oz, Murrells Inlet, 1998 (SCDNR)
- Limits
- SAFMC dolphin-wahoo rules; check current limits
When and where
Wahoo prefer slightly cooler water than mahi. Off the Grand Strand, they are caught along the Gulf Stream edge and the shelf break, especially near ledges, humps, and drop-offs where the bottom rises sharply. The best months are usually fall into early winter and spring, but a few are caught year-round on the edge.
How they are caught
- High-speed trolling. Many captains troll weighted lures at 12 to 16 knots, much faster than for other species, covering water quickly.
- Standard trolling. Rigged ballyhoo on wire leaders, often pulled deep on planers or downriggers.
- Wire is a must. Wahoo teeth cut monofilament instantly.
The strike is violent and the first run can strip hundreds of yards of line in seconds. Hold on, and let the drag work.
Big fish
The South Carolina record wahoo, 130 pounds 5 ounces, was caught out of Murrells Inlet in 1998, according to SCDNR. Most wahoo caught here are 20 to 60 pounds.
Rules
Wahoo are managed with dolphin under the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council's dolphin-wahoo rules, which include a per-person bag limit. Check the current regulations before your trip.
Booking a wahoo trip
Book a full-day Gulf Stream charter in fall or spring and ask the captain about the wahoo bite. Winter trips depend on weather windows; flexibility helps. See deep sea and Gulf Stream fishing and the calendar.
Eating them
Wahoo have firm, white, mild meat, excellent grilled or as sashimi when very fresh.
Who you will deal with
South Atlantic Fishery Management Council
4055 Faber Place Drive, Suite 201, North Charleston, SC 29405
NDBC buoy 41004 (Edisto)
More offices, with notes, are on the local resources page.
Find local help
Listings come from public records or from the business itself. A listing is not a recommendation.
Common questions
When is the best time to catch wahoo off Myrtle Beach?
Fall and spring, when the water along the Gulf Stream edge cools a little. Many captains favor October through December and March through April, on days calm enough to make the long run.
How fast do wahoo swim?
Very fast; they are among the fastest fish in the sea, which is why captains troll for them at higher speeds than for most other fish.
Related guides
More offshore and gulf stream fish
Sources
Official sources checked on October 29, 2026.