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Random Quote: Once you go Cat you'll never go back (Eliot - nana's couch 2 GB2670)
Yesterday we fished The Bermuda Anglers Club annual tournament and caught some Wahoos on live bait using light tackle from 12# to 30# test.
Our method.
For light tackle I use #8 single strand wire with 2 7/0 mustad knife edge J hooks. I attach the leading hook with a haywire twist, but also attach a small barrel swivel that attach the 2nd hook to, this makes it easier to rig the bait and minimizes the impact of kinked wire. A bridle is then attached to the leading hook. Use a needle to attach the bridle to the bait by going through the top of the eye socket then over the point of the hook, give a couple of twist and then put the point of the hook through the loop again, then insert the 2nd hook midway down on the bait by going through the skin, make sure that the bridle hook is taking all the pull pressure by holding the wire and letting the bait hang, the 2nd hook should be free from any pressure.
For my set-up I deploy 3 baits one on a downrigger set at 65 feet with a small rubber band matched to the size tackle as the release, the other 2 are on the flat with 1 long about 150ft and 1 short about 100ft. I do not have outriggers but they can be used effectively.
Using light tacke I set the drags at about 3 or 4 lbs and leave it that way during the entire fight. Wahoo are extremely fast and will peel off 200 to 300 yards on the first run, sometimes more, the water pressure at that distance adds alot more drag then you think on light tackle thus the light setting. Once you get through this initial run maintain constant pressure as they shake their heads alot and will throw the hook if they have loose line, use your thumb if you have to to gain line but be ready to release it quickly if he makes another run. Once you get them close to the boat be very smooth and patient they will eventually pop up and give you a easy shot.
Wahoo travel in schools and if you get one bite standby on the other baits, pay attention to the depth and area you got the strike in and work the hell out of that area. If you get a strike and they drop it, immediately free spool, if there is anything left of the bait 9 times out of 10 they will come back to clean it up.
I troll the baits at about 2 mph and pay close attention to the tips of the rods to see if there is any quick movements, the baits get very nervous just before the strike.
Hope this information is useful, I would have posted pictures but Bullshipper has suspended my priveleges.
Dansar, what's your favourite bait (size and species)? What sort of depth of water is most successful for you over there? Favourite times of day? Are sharks, cudas etc ever a problem?
What you described was the same routine we use for king mac fishing...except the hardware is bigger. FWIW - during the summer months in GA quite a few king mac fishermen wind up snagging hoos on even lighter gear........#4 wire, 2/0 live bait hooks with #4 trebles attached w/ haywire as a stinger. I plan on trying that technique in the stream...assuming the wind stops blowing sometime in the next 3 months.
We don't use a bridle, just run the leading hook through the baits mouth or nose and let the trailer swing free right behind the bait.
The baits are what we call Ocean Robbins, I think they call them Speedos in Florida. They are about 8 to 10 inches long. I usually do not live bait unless there is a concentration of bait or I know fish are in the area. We fish up against structure either the Banks or the edge, what I do once I mark the bait I troll them quite aways outside them as the predators are typically waiting for stragglers or bait that wanders a way from the school. The bait was hanging in about 40 to 50 fathoms yesterday so I was trolling in 80 to 100, most of the strikes came in 100.
Yes we do have problems with barracudas but they usually stay close to the banks or edge, usually in 35 fathoms or less so we try to stay outside of that, but sometimes not even that works. Sharks are not to bad, we get them but usually not enough to create problems, however when you hook a Tiger you are in for a battle.
Tireless,
The only reason I use a bridle is that the baits tend to last a little longer, but if the action is hot and heavy I do the same thing hook them in the top lip and fire them out. I have not tryed trebles yet as when I fish tournaments they are not allowed, but I did buy some triple X to try when I am having fun.
Every year off of NE Floriad Monster Wahoo hooked while fishing for King Mackreal on LIGHT tackle rods trolling live bait at 2-3 mph.
Sounds like you have a good way to fish them, but you can alos probably get some good ideas from how kingfisherman do it and then adopt those for the Wahoo.
GATOR - i'm pretty sure your bullet tuna are our frigate mackeral (hand sized false albacore/ little tunny)..
that's our fall live bait fishery, fished as how Danny described the robin/spedo fishing....it can be frustrating at times w/ plenty of misses...but great fast paced action w/ a lot of angler participation and a higher quality of wahoo and YFT.....A favorite among out regular clients......James.
Live Bait Wahoo on Light Tackle 
