Wahoo fishing out of Stuart runs on two windows: winter, and a summer bite that a local shop ties to the July full moon. Boats run from St. Lucie Inlet to the offshore edges. The named grounds are reefs and wrecks from 80 ft to 200 ft, with the deeper ones 9 to 10 miles out. Locals troll a planer rod with skirted ballyhoo or bonito strips and work live baits into the spread. General wahoo biology and behavior are covered in the species guide.
When wahoo are off Stuart
Stuart has two wahoo windows, and local sources don’t agree on a single peak, so each claim below carries its attribution.
| Window | Timing | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | Standing wahoo season | Local fishing |
| July full moon | Summer bite | Local shop |
| July and August | Best months | Catch Of The Day Charters |
Winter
Winter is a wahoo season off Stuart.
The July full moon and the summer bite
A local shop points to the July full moon, while Catch Of The Day Charters says July and August are best. These are most likely two reports of the same summer window. The wider Atlantic Southeast pattern (see also the Atlantic Southeast fishing guide) shows how it fits the coast.
Where boats run from St. Lucie Inlet
Boats run from the inlet to the offshore edges. The named grounds below, listed from near to far and shallow to deep, are where local anglers set up.
Offshore edges
The offshore edges are the working ground for the trolling spread described later in this guide.
The 80 ft reefs
- Six Mile reef, 80 ft, named for its distance of six miles.
- Eight Mile reef, 80 ft, named for its distance of eight miles.
- Loran Tower (Hobe Sound), 80 ft, off the Loran tower in Hobe Sound.
Because the names carry the distance, they also work as markers when you run out of the inlet.
Deeper wrecks and reefs
- Boo McCulley Reef (Borocho), 180 ft, 9 miles offshore of St. Lucie Inlet.
- Brause Girls Reef (Penobscot tug), 200 ft, 9 to 10 miles offshore, reached from Stuart.
Pushbutton Hill, the Rankin and Sandpile
- Pushbutton Hill (the Hill), offshore of St. Lucie Inlet.
- The Rankin (USS Rankin wreck).
- Sandpile, a nearshore reef.
NOAA tide station 8722207 is the St. Lucie tide source. Before running the inlet, read the official NOAA marine forecast for wind, wave height and period. Chart layers are not for navigation, so use the official NOAA chart.
How wahoo are fished out of Stuart
Locals troll a planer rod with skirted ballyhoo or bonito strips and work live baits into the spread. Catch Of The Day’s offshore report describes the local planer and bait approach.
The planer rod
The planer rod is the core of the local spread and carries the main trolled baits.
Skirted ballyhoo and bonito strips
Skirted ballyhoo and bonito strips are the two baits run off the planer rod.
Live baits in the spread
Locals add live baits to the trolling spread, which also draws other offshore gamefish.
Who fishes for wahoo out of Stuart
Five Stuart charters list wahoo, and one tournament is on the calendar.
Charters
- Hate 2 Lose Fishing Charters
- DNT Charters, 57-foot sportfishing yacht
- Stuart Big Game Fishing, the 61-foot custom sportfisher Unbelievable, Captain VJ Bell
- Warbird Fishing Charters, Captain Jesse Capwell
- Catch Of The Day Charters, Ocean Yachts 37-foot Billfish
The Stuart Sailfish Club KDW Tournament
The Stuart Sailfish Club KDW Tournament is usually held in May.
FAQ about wahoo fishing out of Stuart
When is the best time for wahoo off Stuart?
Winter is a wahoo season. A local shop points to the July full moon, and Catch Of The Day Charters says July and August are best.
How far out are the deeper wrecks off St. Lucie Inlet?
Boo McCulley Reef (Borocho) sits at 180 ft, 9 miles out. Brause Girls Reef (Penobscot tug) sits at 200 ft, 9 to 10 miles out.
What depth are Six Mile and Eight Mile reefs?
Both are at 80 ft, as is Loran Tower off Hobe Sound.
How do locals troll for wahoo out of Stuart?
They use a planer rod with skirted ballyhoo or bonito strips, plus live baits in the spread.
Which Stuart charters list wahoo?
Hate 2 Lose Fishing Charters, DNT Charters, Stuart Big Game Fishing, Warbird Fishing Charters and Catch Of The Day Charters.
Where do I get St. Lucie tide data?
Use NOAA tide station 8722207. Check the official NOAA marine forecast for wind and waves before you run the inlet.
