Ono - Wahoo

What an experience!

Deep Sea Fishing Ono – Wahoo

Wahoo aka Ono (Acanthocybium solandri)

Wahoo, also known as Ono in Hawaii are one of the fastest and fiercest fish to catch in Hawaiian waters. Often found near drop-offs, even when caught, reeling them in can be quite an adventure as they can swim over 45 mph and will sometimes dive down when hooked. The fight is worth it, though, because they are absolutely delicious, often served as steaks for in fish tacos.

Ono have striped long and slender bodies with extremely sharp teeth and average around 20-25 lbs. They do not swim in schools and are related to mackerels.

Hawaii’s record for the largest Ono is 133.2 lbs. set by Tom Brandt and Sky Mullins on December 2, 2000 in Pohoiki.

Ono (Wahoo) Fishing Season

Wahoo Fishing Season

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

Oahu

Fair

Good

Peak

Good

Fair

Maui

Fair

Good

Peak

Good

Fair

Kauai

Good

Peak

Good

Big Island

Fair

Peak

Fair

Best Time for Ono (Wahoo) Fishing

Late spring to summer is the time in Hawaii for Ono (Wahoo) fish.

Spring through fall is the season throughout the Hawaiian islands with early summer giving the best chance if you are planning to visit all the major islands.

The Ono is an aggressive predator that is capable of speeds approaching approximately 50 miles an hour. They attack lures and bait with equally wild abandon and we’ve seen them leap 12 feet out of the water attacking rigged baits. The Ono has razor sharp teeth perfectly designed for slashing which are positioned on jaws that work like scissors. Ono means delicious in Hawaiian, and they are regularly served in the many seafood restaurants on the island. Ono are semi-seasonal in that we see the majority of the fish in spring, summer and fall. Ono readily attack trolled lures, live and dead bait. They range in size from 15-60 pounds.

Family: Scombridae (Mackerel and Tunas)

Genus and Species: Acauthocybium solanderi

Description: body slender; elongate jaws form a pointed beak; The back is iridescent bluish green; the sides silvery with 24 to 30 cobalt blue vertical bars which extend to below the lateral line, whitish below. 1st dorsal fin long and low, with 21 to 27 spines; no gill rakers.

Range: Its range is worldwide in tropical, warm temperate waters where it prefers temperatures of 70 – 86° F.

Natural History: A large, powerful fish, usually loners, found well offshore even to mid oceanic regions. They are voracious predators, swiftly overtaking prey, of which flying fish and halfbeaks are favorites. Little is known of their reproductive habits.

Fishing Information: Capable of speeds approaching 50 MPH, the wahoo, once hooked can thrill any angler with runs of blistering speeds and high leaps with an almost splashless re-entry. An important game fish, it is usually not found in schools and can be caught by trolling bait or artificial lures on flatlines.

Other Common Names: Ocean barracuda, Tigerfish, Ono.

Largest recorded: 158 lbs, Loreto, BCS Mexico, 1996.

Sources: Marine Sportfish Identification, California Department of Fish and Game, 1987; FishBase, FishBase Consortium, 2001