First Coast Fast Lane

An Inside Look at Noth Florida's Often Overlooked Winter Wahoo Fishery.

The onset of winter can be somewhat discouraging for blue water enthusiasts as air and water temperatures cool, winds increase in velocity, and cold fronts training south create uncomfortable conditions offshore. For those willing to brave the weather, winter wahoo fishing is often highly productive.

However, most associate the targeted species with steep ledges and pinnacles common to The Bahamas where trolling at speeds upward of 20 knots results in blistering strikes. While often overshadowed for more tropical locales, the offshore waters accessible to anglers fishing out of Fernandina Beach, Jacksonville, St. Augustine and Ponce Inlet yield surprisingly similar results for those willing to put in the effort.

North Florida experiences a real winter compared to what anglers feel in southern latitudes of the state where sunny skies and mild temps are the norm. Here, winter gloom is real and to be successful in this venture crews must be on the lookout for calm days between passing cold fronts when winds and seas subside. When Mother Nature finally lets her guard down and graces anglers with a calm winter day, experienced wahoo specialists take full advantage knowing the window of opportunity won’t last long.

Generally, the days leading up to an approaching front provide the most comfortable conditions offshore. Once the wind has veered from south-southwest to northwest, you’ve already lost your chance.