Islamorada Wahoo Charters
The Fastest Fish in the Ocean | Year-Round Action
High-Speed Wahoo Hunting in Islamorada
Wahoo - known as "ono" in Hawaii, meaning delicious - are the fastest fish in the ocean. Clocking speeds north of 60 mph, a wahoo strike is pure violence. One second you're trolling, the next your reel is screaming and 300 yards of line have vanished.
October through March is prime time. As wahoo migrate through the Florida Keys, they stack along the reef edge, offshore wrecks, and current seams in the 100-200 foot depth range. High-speed trolling with lipped plugs and rigged ballyhoo at 12-14 knots is the program - and the DirtyBoat runs fast enough to cover serious ground.
🏆 The world record wahoo was 184 lbs - and they are the best eating fish in the ocean.
Wahoo by the Numbers
- ⚡
Top Speed
60 mph+
- 📅
Best Season
October - March
- 🌊
Depth Range
100 - 200 ft
- ⚖️
Average Size
20 - 60 lbs
DirtyBoat Catch Log - Record Fish
69.9 lbs - Kevin & Karrie
The biggest wahoo we've put in the box - 69.9 lbs on the scale. Kevin and Karrie from Palm Beach Gardens were high-speed trolling the reef edge when this beast lit up the spread. Pure chaos from hookset to gaff.
"That fish hit the lure like a freight train - Kevin didn't even know what was happening until the reel started screaming." - Captain Kit Carson
Fresh Off the Boat
Patrick on the dock with his wahoo - before it became a wall mount.
KingSailfish Mounts
Patrick's finished mount - now hangs on the wall as a permanent reminder of a great day offshore.
Book a Wahoo Charter
Peak season fills fast. Lock in your date for a high-speed pursuit.
Check Affiliate Private Availability
If DirtyBoat is booked, we can still get your group on the water. Our partner fleet—Miss Penny, Just Cuz, and Blue Heaven—are vetted to the DirtyBoat standard.
The Wahoo Game Plan
Wahoo are often caught while targeting other species - mahi, tuna, sailfish - but when we go hunting for them specifically, we run a dedicated high-speed trolling spread. Lipped plugs, rigged ballyhoo, and wire leaders at 12-14 knots across the reef edge.
- 🎣 High-Speed Trolling: Covering ground fast to intercept migrating fish.
- 🌊 Reef Edge & Wrecks: Structure holds the bait that attracts wahoo.
- ⚡ Wire Leaders: Those teeth will cut through anything else.
"Great for multi-species days - wahoo, mahi, and tuna all in the same spread."
The DirtyBoat Advantage
Wahoo hunting demands a fast boat. The 42-foot Liberty Express with twin turbo Cummins diesels gets up to speed quickly and holds a trolling spread at 14 knots without breaking a sweat.
Captain Kit Carson knows the reef edge intimately - every wreck, every ledge, every current seam where wahoo ambush bait. When the fall migration fires up, we're on it before word hits the dock.
Voyage Details
-
Duration
Full 8 Hours
-
Crew
Up to 6 People
Bring to the Boat
- 🔱 Quick-dry clothing
- 🔱 Polarized sunglasses
- 🔱 Sunscreen & Lip Balm
- 🔱 Provisions (Food & Drink)
- 🔱 Booty for the Mate (15-20%)
Provisions Included
- ✔️ Tournament Grade Tackle
- ✔️ Rigged Baits & Lures
- ✔️ Federal Fishing Licenses
- ✔️ Ice & Cold Water
- ✔️ Catch Cleaning
Articles of Agreement
Payment of Bounty
Online bookings require full payment via modern currency (Credit Card/Digital). Cash is always king at the Robbie's Marina dock.
The Mate's Tip
"A hardworking crew deserves a share." Customary gratuity is 15%-20%.
Voyage Cancellation
- • 14+ Days: Full refund (less 6% fee).
- • 7-13 Days: 50% refund.
- • Weather/Captain Call: Full refund or credit.
You Might Also Like
All Islamorada Fishing Charters
Browse every DirtyBoat charter option - half-day, full-day, offshore, and split trips.
View Details →Sailfish Charters
Tournament kite fishing for the most acrobatic species in the Keys.
View Details →Tuna Charters
Year-round blackfin tuna on the reef edge and shipwrecks — live bait and chunking offshore.
View Details →