Don Combs is a legendary figure in the Northeast Florida angling community, renowned for his passion for blue water fishing and his expertise in targeting wahoo. His influence extends beyond personal achievements, shaping the local fishing culture and inspiring generations of anglers. This article explores the history of the Don Combs Wahoo Tournament, highlighting the techniques, challenges, and rewards of pursuing these prized gamefish off the coast of St. Augustine, Florida.
Don Combs is a legendary blue water angler. One of Don Combs's favorite fish stories goes as follows: “The sun was just about to set when I noticed a large school of bait that was being pushed up to the surface by game fish deep below,” Don Combs said. “The nervous school of bait fish showered the surface of the calm ocean, indicating game fish were feeding on them at will.”
Combs's passion for fishing is evident in his dedication to the sport and his innovative approach to targeting wahoo. He recalls one particular experience that exemplifies the challenges and rewards of wahoo fishing: "We trolled right through that nervous school of bait, resulting in a big fish striking a black and blue ‘Flame’ lure,” remembers Combs. “We fought that big wahoo for almost a half hour before we were able to bring the hooked fish up close to the transom of my sport fishing boat, ‘Shark Bait’. Suddenly a giant wahoo stuck its head out of the water and shook the hook loose. I know that wahoo had to have weighed well over 150-pounds!”
Don Combs holds the existing Northeast Florida Marlin Association’s wahoo record, which weighed 125-pounds. Irronically, Don Combs and fishing team had just set out a spread of high speed lures when that big “Hoo” struck. “Typically the really big wahoo will take a large bait or lure,” Combs said. “In this case we had just begun to troll with a spread of large ‘C&H’ lures. Minutes later that monster ‘Hoo’ struck and we had it in the boat in less than fifteen minutes. I immediately announced on the VHF marine radio that the tournament was over and we had just landed the winning wahoo!” Indeed Don Combs and his “Shark Bait” fishing team had not only won the Northeast Florida Marlin Association’s annual wahoo tournament, but they also set a club record that still stands today!
Wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri) are one of the most sought-after pelagic gamefish off the coast of St. Augustine. They are known for their blistering speed, aggressive strikes, and powerful fights. Wahoo are sleek, torpedo-shaped fish built for speed. They belong to the mackerel family and can reach speeds over 60 mph, making them one of the fastest fish in the ocean. Their long, slender bodies are covered in shimmering blue and silver scales, with vertical tiger-like stripes running along their sides. They typically grow to lengths between four and five feet, with some specimens exceeding six feet and weighing over 100 pounds. The average wahoo caught off St. Augustine weighs between 40 and 60 pounds.
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Wahoo have razor-sharp teeth designed for slicing through baitfish with ease. Unlike many other pelagic fish, which rely on brute force or suction to engulf prey, wahoo use their teeth to shear bait into pieces, often attacking from the side before circling back to consume what’s left. They are solitary hunters or move in small, loose packs, preferring deep blue water near structure, temperature breaks, and strong currents. Their diet consists primarily of smaller fish such as flying fish, bonito, and various species of mackerel, as well as squid.
While wahoo can be caught year-round, late winter presents a unique opportunity due to shifting water temperatures, bait migrations, and reduced fishing pressure. Wahoo are commonly found off the East Coast, following warm water and bait concentrations. While they can be caught year-round, winter into early spring is an exceptional time to target them off St. Augustine. During this period, cold fronts push down from the north, interacting with the warm Gulf Stream waters offshore. The most productive wahoo fishing grounds in late winter are typically 50 to 100 miles offshore, where the continental shelf drops into deep water, providing the right mix of structure, current, and bait. The 100-fathom curve, which marks depths of around 600 feet, is a key area where wahoo frequently gather.
Wahoo are highly influenced by their prey, often hunting in the same areas where blackfin tuna, bonito, and flying fish are abundant. Tidal movements and moon phases also play a role in wahoo activity, with feeding increasing during new and full moons when currents are strongest.
Reaching prime wahoo fishing off St. Augustine requires a capable offshore vessel, as the best action is often found beyond the 100-fathom curve. This means running well beyond the nearshore reefs and into bluewater territory. One of the most well-known areas is the edge of the Gulf Stream, which shifts based on conditions but generally lies around 60 to 80 miles offshore. Within this range, anglers look for underwater high spots, ridges, and changes in bottom contour that create upwellings, bringing nutrient-rich water to the surface.
Making a run this far offshore requires careful planning. Boats under 25 feet are generally not recommended unless conditions are ideal, as winter seas can be rougher than in summer. Anglers must monitor weather forecasts closely and be prepared for changing conditions. Safety equipment, including a reliable GPS, VHF radio, EPIRB, and life raft, is essential for any offshore trip.
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Wahoo fishing requires specialized tackle capable of handling their speed, strength, and razor-sharp teeth. Heavy-duty trolling rods paired with high-speed conventional reels are the standard for wahoo fishing. These rods typically fall within the 30- to 130-pound class, with lengths ranging from five and a half to seven and a half feet, offering the best combination of leverage and control. Reels should feature a 6:1 or higher gear ratio to quickly pick up slack when a wahoo charges the boat. Line capacities of 500 or more yards of 50- to 80-pound mono or braid are essential, as large fish can take significant runs.
Since wahoo have sharp teeth, wire leaders are a must. Many fishermen use multi-strand cable between 90 and 200 pounds for durability, or single-strand wire between 100 and 150 pounds for stealth. The choice depends on water clarity and the angler's preference.
Wahoo are commonly caught using high-speed trolling, with lures pulled at speeds of 12 to 18 knots. Don Combs also is one of the first blue water fisherman to employ speed trolling for wahoo, which includes trolling speeds from 13-18 knots. Don Combs list of high speed lures includes C & H “Mr.
Don Combs and fishing party once hooked 21-wahoo in a single day while fishing offshore of St. Augustine, Fl. “Wahoo are one of the fastest swimming fish in the ocean,” Don Combs said. “They also jump during the cooler months and I have seen hooked wahoo jump as high as my flying bridge. Boy is that a sight to see!” “One thing that I have learned though, is that wahoo prefer to strike a lure that is trolled under the surface and is also trolled in a dead straight line. Some of my favorite lure combination colors for wahoo include blue-white and red-black. Ironically, one of the very first lures that I designed is still one of my favorite blue water lures today, which is the ‘American Express.’ We have caught some really large wahoo with this popular lure and during one blue water fishing trip to the ‘Big Ledge,’ we boated a 67-, 57- and 45-pound ‘Bull’ dolphin with the blue-white ‘American Express’!”
Don Combs list of high speed lures includes C & H “Mr. Wahoo are one of the most sought-after pelagic gamefish off the coast of St. Augustine, known for their blistering speed, aggressive strikes, and powerful fights.
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Wahoo hit hard and fast, with initial runs that can strip 200 or more yards of line in under 10 seconds. Their speed makes them a challenge from the moment they strike, but what makes them especially difficult to fight is their unpredictable movement. Handling a wahoo fight requires not only strong tackle but physical endurance from the angler. The force of their initial run puts immediate strain on the arms, shoulders, and lower back, requiring firm footing and a tight grip to keep control of the rod.
Wahoo often surface during the fight before diving back down, making it difficult to predict when they’ll be ready to bring in. Their streamlined bodies allow them to cut through the water with minimal resistance, meaning even an average-sized fish can feel far heavier than its weight suggests.
As wahoo near the boat, they become even more unpredictable. Many will make sudden last-ditch runs when they see the hull, darting away with the same explosive power they had at the start of the fight. This moment is where many fish are lost, either due to an angler easing off the pressure too soon or the fish taking one final burst of speed straight under the boat.
Getting a wahoo to the boat is one thing-securing it safely is another. Their razor-sharp teeth and powerful thrashing make them a serious hazard if not handled correctly. Many anglers immediately tail-rope wahoo to keep them from flopping dangerously across the deck. Some also use a fish bat to stun particularly active fish before unhooking. Once secured, wahoo should be iced immediately to maintain their quality.
Few moments showcase that dedication better than the recent success of Owen Holmquist, who was named Top Junior Angler in the Don Combs Wahoo Round Up with an outstanding 82.76-pound wahoo. After his impressive win, Owen stopped by Avid Angler to share his story, giving us firsthand insight into what it takes to land a fish of that caliber.
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