Wahoo
Wahoo turn up along Australia's tropical and subtropical coasts as a bluewater by-catch and, when targeted deliberately, deliver some of the fastest runs of any fish in the ocean.
They're native here, found from WA's northwest coast around the tropical north and down to NSW. Excellent eating — white, mild flesh — makes them worth chasing beyond the fight alone.
Scientific Name: Acanthocybium solandri
Also known as Bastard Mackerel, Ono
- Very elongated, almost cylindrical body; iridescent blue-green back, silver sides, white belly — the colours are vivid in the water but fade fast after death.
- 24–30 cobalt-blue vertical bars run down the sides; these are the clearest visual separator from Spanish mackerel, which lack them.
- Large mouth with a protruding lower jaw and razor-sharp, triangular teeth — handle with care.
- Most fish caught in Australian waters run 10–25 kg; the species can exceed 80 kg and 2.5 m, though fish that size are rare inshore.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Native to Australian waters — distributed from northwest of Shark Bay, WA, around the tropical north, down the Queensland coast to the Sydney region, plus Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Lord Howe Island and Norfolk Island.
- A bluewater, open-ocean species that lives in the upper water column, typically in depths of 100 m or more, though they do come shallower around offshore reefs, islands and seamounts.
- Strongly tied to warm, clear water — the cobalt-blue current edges where the continental shelf rises sharply are classic holding areas.
- Generally solitary or in small, loose groups; not a schooling species in the way mackerel are.
Key Locations
- Mackerel Islands, WA — offshore island group where wahoo are encountered in relatively shallow water as well as the deeper blue beyond.
- Exmouth and the Ningaloo coast, WA — warm Indian Ocean currents push wahoo within range of offshore anglers.
- Cato Reef and Wreck Reef, Coral Sea — remote offshore reefs documented as holding large concentrations of wahoo along current edges.
- Gold Coast and northern NSW — wahoo appear seasonally as warm East Australian Current water pushes south, mostly as by-catch on billfish spreads.
- Queensland's offshore reefs and Coral Sea — the tropical north produces wahoo year-round wherever blue water meets structure.
Specific Spots
- Current edges where deep blue water meets shallower reef or shelf structure concentrate baitfish and draw wahoo — the drop-off itself is the key feature.
- Around offshore islands, seamounts and submerged reefs: the Mackerel Islands (WA), Cato Reef and Wreck Reef (Coral Sea) are documented hot spots where wahoo stack in numbers.
- Colour changes — the line between green inshore water and deep blue offshore — are worth trolling along, especially when baitfish are visible on the sounder.
- Mid-water to surface in the early morning; wahoo feed actively near the top of the water column in low light.
Wahoo FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Wahoo?
Skirted trolling lures in blue/white, purple/black or pink/white at 8–12 knots are the classic wahoo approach, the same spread used for marlin and tuna will pick up wahoo, but dedicated wahoo lures run deeper and faster.
When is the best time to fish for Wahoo?
February through May is the peak period across much of the Australian range, when warm water temperatures and favourable currents concentrate fish. In tropical WA and Queensland's far north, wahoo are present year-round wherever warm blue water holds, summer and autumn see the best numbers.
How do you catch Wahoo?
Most wahoo in Australia are caught trolling skirted lures or bibbed minnows at speed from a boat over deep water, either along current edges or past offshore reefs and islands. Dedicated targeting means running faster than a typical marlin spread, up to 12 knots, with wire traces rigged.
What do Wahoo eat?
Wahoo eat smaller pelagic fish, mackerel, flying fish, squid and whatever baitfish are schooling near the surface. This is why fast-trolled lures that mimic fleeing baitfish are the go-to approach: skirted trolling lures, bibbed minnows and knife jigs all work because they match the profile and movement of the prey.
Where do Wahoo live?
Native to Australian waters, distributed from northwest of Shark Bay, WA, around the tropical north, down the Queensland coast to the Sydney region, plus Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Lord Howe Island and Norfolk Island.
See it in the app
Most maps show you water.
onWater shows you Wahoo.
- 01 · Species map filter
Map every Wahoo water
Pick Wahoo and the map zeroes in on the waters they call home. No more guessing which lake holds them.
- 02 · Waterbody species
Tap any water. See what lives there.
Species, behavior and seasonal patterns for every lake, river and pond, before you leave the driveway.
- 03 · Angler Intelligence
Ask how to catch Wahoo
Tactics, gear and timing from onWater's AI fishing guide, tuned to the species and the water you're on.
Stop guessing where Wahoo are.
Open the map, filter by Wahoo, and head to water that holds them. Download onWater and plan your next trip in minutes.
- Species map filter
- Angler Intelligence
- Fishing journal
Explore other species
Trout, bass, salmon, panfish and everything in between. Each guide unpacks the behavior, seasons, and tactics that put fish in the net.
No species information available.
Smarter Fishing Starts in the App.
onWater Fish gives you everything you need to plan smarter, fish better, and own every trip from first cast to last.