Acanthocybium solandri

The wahoo is a circumtropical pelagic. In Indonesia, it is almost never seen on the reef.

The few times that I encountered them, it was either in the blue, upstream of islets, or on deep pinnacles with a flasher, or under FADs or floating debris, together with dolphinfish. Surprisingly, it is rare to encounter individuals over a dozen kilos.

It can be met all year, at any time, including mid-day.

Although it looks like spanish mackerel in the distance one cannot confuse them after one’s seen them once. The wahoo is much bluer, more pelagic.

The wahoo is THE fish for float / bungee / slip-tip because of the speed of the initial rush and the fragility of its flesh. Without a slip-tip, aim imperatively the spine in the rear zone, more resistant.

After one or two very powerful rushes, the wahoo weakens and comes to the surface almost dead. Beware then of its very sharp dentition, including after landing it, during the handling of the dead fish; accidents are not uncommon.

The wahoo is delicious raw or cooked but because of the small size of the specimens encountered, I do not shoot often because at 3-5kg it is not decent. On FADs I was reported quite reputable catches. That said, for fans of the wahoo, it is better to change destination.