I'm going down to Hatteras around the 18th of August and weather permitting I'm going to run out a ways. My question is this, say I find a piece of wood floating in around a 20 fathom area, at what depth would be a good place to set my downrigger? Also what size steel do most of you guys use when targeting wahoo and by size I mean lbs rating. Also do you prefer pulling something like a drone spoon or just a regular say black/red seawitch? Thanks in advance.........

We run a good size planer to it 30 to 50 I'd guess.We caught a wahoo yesterday on the planer with a red and black islander. I find the red and black to be the very highest percentage producer although we have also caught quite a few on blue and white isanders. I think a bigger key is how far back from the planer you can get the bait.We started running it back about 200 feet and the strikes have improved.

Kent

We went out of Hat on Sun. we hooked up 4 Wahoo at the same time just east of the rock pile. Only landed one though. wasnt using a plainer at all. They hit on Naked balaho and a pink and white and blue and green. I did hear from other boats that black and purple was the color of choice. you should do good on the 18th. Good luck....

Seems Black/Red and Black/Purple are the reported colors for a large percentage of Wahoo bites. Drone spoons are also effective. Wahoo will also hit your Planer if they feel mean, and they often do. Some folks paint the planer Black to reduce attacks and the cut off.
Running the bait further back makes great sense and I think we'll add distance from the 50' we normally run. Having your planer on a bridle rigged for wind-on lets you remove the planer and then continue to reel the fish in is a must.
Some use a short single strand wire leader when targeting toothy game, particularly when using a spoon. Good luck.
Tight lines.
Dave