Italian grilled wahoo with lemon herb butter

June 25, 2025

The Fort Lauderdale deep sea fishing action is heating up and today aboard the Hooked Up 2, we dialed in on the wahoo bite! Fishing in 300 feet of water, just offshore from the wrecks off Fort Lauderdale, we found big wahoo stacked up and ready to chew.

Using planer boards with bonita strips, we trolled along the edge of the current where bait was thick—and it paid off in a big way. Several solid wahoo hit hard and gave us blistering runs, proving that the summer wahoo bite is officially underway!

The Bonita Run Has Started – And the Wahoo Are Right Behind Them

The bonita schools have arrived in full force along the South Florida coast, and with them come the predators. This annual bonita migration in Fort Lauderdale brings tons of action to our waters. These fast-moving baitfish school up over deep wrecks and reef edges, and the big wahoo follow right behind, feeding aggressively on the stragglers.

This is the time of year when trolling with natural baits like bonita strips, rigged behind planers and fished deep, can be absolutely deadly for targeting trophy wahoo in Fort Lauderdale.

Book Your Wahoo Charter in Fort Lauderdale Today!

If you’re looking for a chance to hook into one of the fastest and most powerful game fish in the ocean, now’s the time to book your Fort Lauderdale fishing charter aboard the Hooked Up 2. We’re dialed in on the bite, and the offshore fishing in Fort Lauderdale is only getting better.

📞 Call now to reserve your trip or book online today!

Italian Grilled Wahoo with Lemon Herb Butter

By Captain of Hooked Up 2 | Fort Lauderdale Fishing Charters

Looking for the best way to cook fresh wahoo after a successful day on the water? If you just reeled in a trophy wahoo aboard Hooked Up 2—Fort Lauderdale’s premier deep sea fishing charter—you’re in for a treat.

This Italian-style grilled wahoo recipe is light, zesty, and loaded with Mediterranean flavors. It’s simple, delicious, and perfect for showcasing this prized game fish.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Italian Grilled Wahoo Recipe with Lemon Herb Butter

Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Serves: 4
Difficulty: Easy
Best For: Fresh-caught wahoo, summer grilling, Italian seafood dinners

🐟 Ingredients

4 wahoo fillets (6–8 oz each), skin on or off
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 tsp sea salt
1 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
2 tsp garlic powder
Zest of 1 lemon
Juice of 1 lemon
1 tbsp fresh chopped oregano (or 1 tsp dried)
1 tbsp fresh chopped basil
1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional for heat)

🍋 Lemon Herb Butter (Italian Compound Butter)

½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp chopped parsley
1 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
1 tsp lemon zest
1 tbsp lemon juice
Pinch of sea salt

🔥 Directions

1. Make the Lemon Herb Butter

In a small bowl, mix all compound butter ingredients until smooth. Wrap in plastic wrap, roll into a log, and refrigerate while you grill the fish.

2. Prepare the Wahoo

Pat fillets dry with paper towels. Drizzle olive oil over both sides. Sprinkle salt, pepper, garlic powder, lemon zest, and red pepper flakes evenly.

3. Preheat Your Grill

Preheat your gas grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Oil the grates to prevent sticking.

4. Grill the Wahoo

Place wahoo fillets on the grill. Cook for 1–3 minutes per side, depending on thickness. Wahoo is done when it flakes easily and is opaque throughout. Avoid overcooking—it’s a lean fish and dries quickly!