Wahoo Lure
A Wahoo lure is a specialized offshore trolling lure designed to target Acanthocybium solandri—the lightning-fast, razor-toothed pelagic predator known as the Wahoo, Zebra, or Ono. Because wahoo strike at high speeds and often attack aggressively, these lures are built for durability, hydrodynamic stability, and the ability to trigger reactionary bites.
Overall Design & Purpose
Wahoo lures are engineered for high-speed trolling—commonly trolled at 12 to 20 knots—without spinning, skipping, or losing track. They are designed to:
- Maintain directional stability at extreme speeds
- Create an attractive bubble/smoke trail and excessive turbulence that adds to the presentation
- Produce vibration and flash
- Withstand violent strikes from strong jaws and sharp teeth
Head Construction
The head is the most critical component and is usually built around weight, stability, and speed control.
Materials
- Stainless steel for additional weight (helps it troll faster while maintaining desired water column depths)
Shape
- Cylindrical, tapered bullet head or cupped-face jet head style
- Front end is typically slightly concave or bullet-pointed to minimize drag at higher speeds
- Rear of the lure is smaller to allow a smooth transition from head to hand-tied skirts
Function
- Adds weight to keep the lure tracking deep
- Cuts through water cleanly at speed
- Generates a subtle bubble trail / “smoke” or creates turbulence that sounds like a freight train sub-surface
Skirt / Body
Wahoo lures are often skirted, and standard replacement skirts are available at your local tackle store.
Skirted Lures
- Double skirts (inner + outer) for flash and durability
- Made from silicone and available in most every color
- Often striped or layered to imitate flying fish, ballyhoo, or squid
Common colors include:
- Black/purple
- Black/red
- Black/pink
- Blue/white
- Blue/pink
- Green/yellow
- Black/orange (“Halloween”)
Rigging
Wahoo are notorious for bite-offs, so rigging is heavy-duty.
Leader
- Multi-strand cable, 275–480 lb. test
- Stainless steel braided cable
- Short length: 2–4 ft to reduce visual detection (customizable to your liking)
Hooks
- Single hook (most common) or stiff-rigged double hook
- Typically 8/0–12/0 size
- Extra-strong forged stainless steel
- Hook point aligned with lure body to track straight
Connection Hardware
- Heavy swivels
- Chafe tubing
- Crimps rated for 400–600 lb.
Trolling Characteristics
Wahoo lures are designed to be run:
- Deep, using trolling weights or planers—or with the added weight of the stainless head, you may forgo extra trolling leads
- Fast, 12–20 knots
- Far back, often 100+ yards, in clean water beyond prop wash
They should:
- Track perfectly straight
- Generate a bubble trail without excessive cavitation
- Present a compact, “fleeing prey” profile
Action in the Water
The lure produces:
- A tight, vibrating wiggle
- Occasional darting action (depending on head shape)
- A subtle smoke trail from water displacement
- Flash and shimmer from skirt or reflective body
The action is intended to trigger a predatory response, not mimic natural swimming behavior at slow speeds.
Durability Features
Because wahoo have razor-sharp teeth and 60+ mph strike speeds, the lure must:
- Have reinforced skirts
- Use corrosion-resistant metals
- Avoid weak points like small split rings
- Resist compression and impact damage
Typical Size
- 7–14 inches long depending on model
- Heads can weigh 2–48 ounces
- Overall rig weight can exceed 3 pounds when properly rigged
