Wahoo fishing out of Carrabelle means deep-water trolling over the reefs and towers south and east of the Red 10 buoy. The fish start showing in April. This page gives the depth, distance and bearing to each named site so you can build a run plan.
When wahoo show up off Carrabelle
Wahoo start showing off Carrabelle in April, and Fishanywhere’s Carrabelle fishing calendar lists them again in May, June, August and October. For the wider Gulf picture, see wahoo fishing in the Gulf (see also the wider Gulf of Mexico guide).
April start
April brings the first fish, and it is the first month worth putting a troll over the deep sites.
May through October
The calendar lists wahoo in May, June, August and October, so plan around those entries as written.
Where boats run and the grounds that hold them
Every distance and bearing below runs from the Carrabelle Red 10 buoy. Boats run to deep water offshore, and the main wahoo grounds sit 11.6 to 28.9 nm from Red 10.
Working outward from the beach, Carrabelle 3 Mile sits at 5.5 nm in 39 ft, and Robby’s Reef follows at 11.6 nm in 52 ft. The south cluster lies at 14.5 to 15.6 nm in 70 to 74 ft, and K Tower is at 17.2 nm in 60 ft. S Tower is the deepest and farthest named site, at 28.9 nm in 105 ft.
These bearings and distances are reference points, not navigation. Load the sites as waypoints in Breakpoint and check each against the official chart before you run to it; chart layers are not for navigation.
| Site | AARA ID | Depth (ft) | Distance (nm) | Bearing from Red 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carrabelle 3 Mile | FR0018 | 39 | 5.5 | 107.2° |
| Robby’s Reef | FR0039 | 52 | 11.6 | 127.7° |
| Carrabelle Reef Culverts | FR0012 | 70 | 14.5 | 169.5° |
| O-Tower Barge / Carrabelle Reef Barge | FR0013 | 74 | 15.0 | 169.0° |
| Carrabelle/Rotary | FR0011 | 15.6 | 176.7° | |
| K Tower | FR0007 | 60 | 17.2 | 113.8° |
| S Tower | FR0005 | 105 | 28.9 | 173.3° |
| CCA Dr. Bart Carey Reef (Carrabelle 10 Mile Reef System) | 50 |
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
South cluster: 169° to 177°
Four sites share this heading:
- Carrabelle Reef Culverts (FR0012): 70 ft, 14.5 nm, 169.5°
- O-Tower Barge / Carrabelle Reef Barge (FR0013): 74 ft, 15.0 nm, 169.0°
- Carrabelle/Rotary (FR0011): 15.6 nm, 176.7°
- S Tower (FR0005): 105 ft, 28.9 nm, 173.3°
The Culverts and the Barge sit 0.5 nm apart on nearly the same bearing, and S Tower lies farther out along the same line.
East-southeast line: 107° to 128°
Three AARA sites sit on this side:
- Carrabelle 3 Mile (FR0018): 39 ft, 5.5 nm, 107.2°
- K Tower (FR0007): 60 ft, 17.2 nm, 113.8°
- Robby’s Reef (FR0039, a 2016 addition): 52 ft, 11.6 nm, 127.7°
Nearshore and 10 Mile
FR0018 is one of several Carrabelle 3 Mile sites, so confirm which one a waypoint refers to. CCA Dr. Bart Carey Reef is part of the Carrabelle 10 Mile Reef System and sits in 50 ft. Only its depth is listed here.
How wahoo are fished here
Trolling in deep water is the local method, according to Guidesly’s Carrabelle trip notes. For spreads and speeds, see the wahoo trolling guide.
Deep-water trolling
Fishanywhere says these fish rarely stay in one area long, which is why trolling is the preferred approach. Cover water rather than sit on one spot.
Linking structure
Sites on similar bearings let one troll link several of them:
- South line: Culverts to Barge at 14.5 to 15.0 nm on about 169°, then on toward Rotary and S Tower.
- East-southeast line: Robby’s Reef and K Tower can be linked the same way.
Who fishes for wahoo out of Carrabelle
Charter boats out of Carrabelle troll the deep for wahoo, according to Guidesly. Anglers who already run to the towers for bottom fish can add a troll to the same run. If the day turns into a kingfish or cobia day, see other offshore gamefish.
| Who | How they fish |
|---|---|
| Charter boats | Troll the deep for wahoo |
| Owner-operators | Add a troll to runs already made to the towers |
| Visiting anglers | Plan around the April to October calendar entries |
FAQ: wahoo fishing out of Carrabelle
When is the best time for wahoo out of Carrabelle?
For wahoo fishing out of Carrabelle, the fish start showing in April. Fishanywhere’s calendar carries entries for May, June, August and October.
How far offshore do boats run for wahoo from Carrabelle?
The main grounds, Robby’s Reef through S Tower, sit 11.6 to 28.9 nm from the Carrabelle Red 10 buoy. Carrabelle 3 Mile is closer, at 5.5 nm.
What is the deepest named site off Carrabelle?
S Tower (AARA FR0005) is the deepest, at 105 ft. It sits 28.9 nm from Red 10 at 173.3°.
What lures and trolling speeds work for wahoo here?
Deep-water trolling is the local method. Spreads and speeds are covered in the wahoo species guide.
Is there a NOAA buoy near Carrabelle for conditions?
No NOAA buoy is named for this port. Read the wind, wave height and period numbers in the official NWS marine forecast before the run.
