(Cuvier, 1832); SCOMBRIDAE FAMILY; also
called oahu fish, Pacific kingfish
Worldwide in tropical and warm temperate
seas. Pelagic and seasonally migratory, it
tends to be a loner or travel in small
groups of 2 to 6 fish. There are indications
of seasonal concentrations off the Pacific
coasts of Panama, Costa Rica and Baja
California in the summer, off Grand Cayman
(Atlantic) in the winter and spring, and off
the western Bahamas and Bermuda in the
spring and fall.
The upper jaw is movable and the teeth are
large, strong and laterally compressed. The
well defined lateral line dips noticeably
near the middle of the first dorsal fin,
further forward than on the similar looking
tanguigue (Scomberomorus commerson), and is
wavy back to the tail. The back is a
brilliant, deep, blue sometimes described as
metallic or electric blue. Bright blue
vertical bands, or “tiger stripes”, flow
down the sides onto the silver and sometimes
join into pairs on the belly. These
beautiful stripes are not, however, always
prominent in large specimens and
occasionally may be missing entirely.
It is found around wrecks and reefs where
smaller fish that it feeds upon are
abundant, but it may also be found far out
at sea.
It is reputed to be one of the fastest fish
in the sea, attaining speeds of 50 mph (80
km) and more. The first scorching run may
peel off several hundred yards of line in
seconds. Occasionally this fish jumps on the
strike and often shakes its head violently
when hooked in an effort to free itself.
Fishing methods include trolling with whole,
rigged baits as well as with strip baits or
artificial lures. Live bait fishing and kite
fishing are productive, but the wahoo is a
relatively scarce species and is usually
taken incidentally while fishing for other
oceanic species. The wahoo has commercial
importance in some countries. The flesh is
finely grained and sweet and is considered
excellent eating
