Long, slender, iridescent blue-barred pelagic with an elongated bill-like snout and razor teeth - built for speed. Galveston fish commonly 15-50 lb, with 60-80+ lb possible.
⚖ Texas & federal limits Bag, size and season rules apply — several offshore species run on federal seasons that open and close by the year. Check the current TPWD Outdoor Annual →.
On the water
WhenWarmer months and fall are strong, though caught year-round offshore. Best around clean blue water, structure, and current breaks; often a first-light bite. Frequently a bonus catch on tuna/mahi floater trips.WhereOffshore blue water: shelf-edge banks, deepwater rigs/floaters, weedlines, and current/temperature breaks, well offshore (often 40-100+ nm). They cruise structure edges and rips, often deeper than mahi.HowHigh-speed trolling (12-16+ kts) with heavy trolling lures/bullets on wire or heavy fluoro, or trolling rigged ballyhoo with wire near structure and floaters. Deep-dropping jigs and live bait near rigs also produces. A wire or heavy-fluoro bite trace is essential for their teeth.BehaviorSolitary, extremely fast ambush predators that patrol structure edges, weedlines, and temperature breaks hunting fast baitfish and squid; they strike hard and slash bait.The fightOne of the ocean's fastest fish - a scorching first run that can dump line in seconds, then a strong shorter battle.
Baits that work
High-speed trolling lures / wahoo bombs and bullet heads
Wire-rigged ballyhoo (skirted)
Live/cut bait near rigs
Heavy vertical jigs
Tackle
Rod & reelHeavy 30-50 lb class trolling conventional; strong dragLine50-80 lb braid or monoLeaderHeavy 80-130 lb fluoro or single-strand/cable wire bite traceTerminalStrong J hooks (often 2-hook trolling rigs) 7/0-9/0; wire leader mandatory for the teethRigHigh-speed trolling lures (bullets/plugs) with wire, or wire-rigged ballyhoo; vertical jigs near structure
The bait clock
☀ DawnHigh-speed trolled Ilander/ballyhoo or wahoo bullet
The daybreak high-speed troll over banks and breaks is the signature wahoo window.
☼ MiddayDeep-diving plug or weighted high-speed lure
Midday fish hold deeper; planers and heavy heads keep lures down where they strike.
☾ DuskHigh-speed trolled skirted lure
A secondary low-light bite around the same structure edges.
[{'months': [1, 2, 3], 'note': 'Winter is peak wahoo at the Flower Garden Banks-area structure off Texas.'}]
Moon phase and current edges rival time of day, but the first-light troll is genuinely best.
Handling & releasePelagic - no barotrauma. Extreme caution: scalpel-like teeth and violent boatside runs - control the head with a gaff, keep hands and lines clear, use long dehookers. Bleed and ice immediately for quality.On the tableClean, white, firm mild meat - outstanding on the grill and as a light sear; a top offshore table fish.As baitNo - prized table fish.
The bar to beat
Texas state record
124.0 lb · 73.5″ — Terry Crider
Gulf of Mexico, TX, 1987
World record
184.0 lb — Sara Hayward
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, 2005
Records as compiled in the IronJetty guide (Aug 2026) — verify current marks with TPWD records / IGFA. World record 184 lb, widely reported.
