Wahoo
Pelagic / OffshoreThe fastest fish in WA's bluewater — a sleek, striped, razor-toothed pelagic capable of explosive speed and reel-screaming runs. Found in warm offshore waters from Rottnest northward, with Rottnest Island marking the southern edge, and most common around the Gascoyne, Pilbara and Kimberley reefs, FADs and current lines. A summer FAD-and-troll target out of Perth and a prized capture for its blistering fight and excellent eating.
Wahoo are the speed merchants of WA's offshore scene — long, slim, vividly barred pelagics that hit a trolled lure and dump 100m of line before you've registered the strike. They favour warm, deep oceanic water and structure that holds bait: outer reef edges, current lines, floating debris and Fish Aggregation Devices (FADs). In WA they range from the tropical north — Exmouth, Ningaloo, the Mackerel and Montebello Islands, the Pilbara and Kimberley — down to Rottnest Island, which marks the southern extremity. Off Perth they're a summer prospect around the FADs deployed west of Rottnest in deep water, where they're taken both by trolling and by spearfishers working the floats. Up north they're a year-round bluewater target, often hooked while chasing mackerel and tuna.
Rigged whole gar or pilchard on a wire gang, swimming mullet, slimy mackerel, live skipjack or yakka
High-speed skirted trolling lures, deep-diving minnows (Halco Laser Pro 190), bibless vibes, large metal slugs, chrome bullets
Wire trace is essential — 60–100lb single-strand, 40–60cm, to a strong single hook or stinger treble, run under a heavy mono leader. For trolled lures, a short wire bite tippet. Use quality ball-bearing swivels — wahoo spin on the strike. Drag set firm but with line to give; the first run is savage and a locked drag pops leaders.
Troll skirts and deep-divers fast — 8–12 knots — along outer reef edges, current lines and around FADs and floating debris, watching the sounder and the surface for bait and birds. Wahoo strike hard and run fast, so keep rods in holders with a sensible strike drag and clear the deck on hook-up. When fish are holding around a FAD, slow-troll live baits or cast metals and bibless vibes into the structure. They often travel in loose packs, so a hook-up can mean multiples — have a second lure ready.
Off Perth, December through April when the FADs are out and the Leeuwin Current pushes warm water down past Rottnest. In the tropical north they're available year-round, best on the run-out tide along the outer reefs. Early morning and the change of light produce most quality fish; bright, calm days around current lines are prime.
Up to 80kg+, commonly 15–30kg in WA
Dec–Apr (Perth FADs); year-round in the tropical north
Excellent eating — clean, white, mild flesh that's superb as steaks, grilled, or fresh sashimi. Bleed and ice the moment it's aboard; the flesh is soft and oxidises fast in warm conditions. Large tropical wahoo carry a small ciguatera risk, so locals tend to favour mid-sized fish for the table.
Wahoo fall within the statewide mixed daily bag limit of 3 for large pelagic finfish (shared with mackerel, tuna, cobia and barracuda). Minimum size: 90cm. Possession limit applies. Always check current DPIRD rules — regulations may change.
The Perth FADs west of Rottnest are the accessible summer option for metro anglers; up north, the outer Ningaloo and Pilbara reefs and the Mackerel and Montebello Islands are the grounds. Run quality wire and check it for kinks after every fish — a kinked single-strand is a bite-off waiting to happen. Wahoo come in fast and green, so wear a green fish out properly before gaffing it boat-side.