When wahoo are around Wrightsville Beach
Wahoo fishing out of Wrightsville Beach centers on October to February, which Southern Run lists as its best months on its trip page. Boats leave from the port through Masonboro Inlet and run to the Gulf Stream. For biology and the general picture, see the wahoo species guide. Pick the month first, narrow it to the days around the full moon, then read the buoy before you clear the inlet.
The October to February window
Three local captain statements bracket the season, from narrow to broad:
- Southern Run puts its best months for wahoo at October to February.
- Southern Run’s best-times guidance runs late August through March, with October its favorite month.
- Ocean Stinger calls winter the well-known wahoo period.
These are captains’ reports, not our data.
The full moon window
Southern Run advises targeting wahoo within 3 or 4 days of the full moon. That is a local captain’s timing rule. Applied to the October to February calendar, 3 or 4 days either side of each full moon leaves roughly a week of target days a month.
Where boats run
Boats leave through Masonboro Inlet, pass named nearshore reefs and run to the Gulf Stream to troll for wahoo. The Gulf Stream trolling comes from Southern Run’s report. The positions below are charted data.
Masonboro Inlet
The run starts between the Masonboro Inlet north and south jetties. The NOAA Coast Pilot chapter covers the inlet, which is protected by jetties.
Named structure on the way out
These are landmarks along the route out of Masonboro Inlet, not wahoo spots.
| Name | AR number | Position or depth |
|---|---|---|
| Meares Harris Reef | AR-370 | 34 10.467 N, 77 45.067 W |
| Billy Murrell Reef | AR-364 | 34 14.833 N, 77 42.833 W |
| Phillip Wolfe Reef | AR-378 | 34 00.633 N, 77 50.683 W |
| Artificial reef | AR-372 | 49 ft |
The NC Division of Marine Fisheries reef guide lists the AR reef positions. Schoolhouse, Dredge Wreck Reef and 10-Mile Boxcars are other named local structure. Chart positions here are for reference, not navigation.
The Gulf Stream
Wahoo fishing from this port is Gulf Stream trolling, according to Southern Run. For the wider picture, see the Atlantic Southeast (see also the Atlantic Southeast region guide) regional guide.
Reading conditions at NDBC 41038
The nearest buoy is NDBC 41038, Wrightsville Beach Nearshore (ILM2), at 34.141 N 77.715 W in 18 m of water (about 59 ft). Before you clear the inlet, check its wind speed and direction, wave height and dominant period.
The limitation is location: 41038 reports conditions near the beach, not on the Gulf Stream. Pair it with the NWS Wilmington marine forecast.
How wahoo are fished here
Local boats high-speed troll for wahoo on 12-hour Gulf Stream trips timed around the full moon, according to Southern Run.
- High-speed trolling is the local method.
- Trips run 12 hours in the Gulf Stream.
- Timing is set around the full moon, inside the 3 or 4 day window above.
Wahoo are one of several offshore gamefish in the Gulf Stream, so the same trip can cover other species.
Who fishes for wahoo out of this port
Three local charters list wahoo: Southern Run, Ocean Stinger and Wild Rover III.
- Southern Run’s Gulf Stream trips: Southern Run Fishing Charters, Captain Ben Morris.
- Ocean Stinger’s wahoo species page: Ocean Stinger Charters, Captain Jesse Gawlik.
- Wild Rover III: Captain Dave Tilley.
Cape Fear Blue Marlin Tournament
The Cape Fear Blue Marlin Tournament is the tournament listed for wahoo out of Wrightsville Beach. It is usually held in May.
FAQ: wahoo out of Wrightsville Beach
When is the best time for wahoo fishing out of Wrightsville Beach?
October to February, according to Southern Run. Its broader window runs late August to March, with October its favorite month. Ocean Stinger calls winter the well-known wahoo period.
Does the full moon matter for wahoo here?
Southern Run advises fishing within 3 or 4 days of the full moon. That is a captain’s timing rule and does not guarantee fish.
How do local boats fish for wahoo?
They high-speed troll on 12-hour Gulf Stream trips timed around the full moon, according to Southern Run.
Which charters target wahoo out of Wrightsville Beach?
Southern Run Fishing Charters (Captain Ben Morris), Ocean Stinger Charters (Captain Jesse Gawlik) and Wild Rover III (Captain Dave Tilley) list wahoo.
Is there a wahoo tournament?
The Cape Fear Blue Marlin Tournament is the one listed for wahoo out of Wrightsville Beach. It is usually held in May.
Which buoy should I check?
NDBC 41038, Wrightsville Beach Nearshore (ILM2), at 34.141 N 77.715 W in 18 m (about 59 ft). It reports conditions near the beach, not on the Gulf Stream, so pair it with the official marine forecast.
