The body is elongated and covered with small, scarcely visible scales; the back is an iridescent blue, while the sides are silvery, with a pattern of vertical blue bars. These colors fade rapidly at death. The mouth is large, and both the upper and lower jaws have a somewhat sharper appearance than those of king or Spanish mackerel. Specimens have been recorded at up to 2.5 m (8 ft) in length, and weighing up to 83 kg (180 lb).^[3] Growth can be rapid. One specimen tagged at 5 kg (11 lb) grew to 15 kg (33 lb) in one year. Wahoo can swim up to 80 km/h (50 mph), Firestein and Walters, 1969. They are one of the fastest fish in the sea.

The wahoo may be distinguished from the related Atlantic king mackerel and from the Indo-Pacific narrowbarred mackerel by a fold of skin which covers the mandible when its mouth is closed. In contrast, the mandible of the king mackerel is always visible as is also the case for the smaller Spanish and Cero mackerels. The teeth of the wahoo are similar to those of king mackerel, but shorter and more closely set together.

The great barracuda is sometimes confused with mackerel and wahoo, but is easy to distinguish from the latter two species. Barracuda have prominent scales, larger, dagger-like teeth, and lack the characteristic blade-like tail characteristic of the mackerel/tuna family of fish.

The flesh of the wahoo is white, delicate, and highly regarded by many gourmets. This has created some demand for the wahoo as a premium priced commercial food fish. In many areas of its range, such as Hawaii, Bermuda and many parts of the Caribbean, local demand for wahoo is met by artisanal commercial fishermen, who take them primarily by trolling, as well as by recreational sports fishermen who sell their catch.

Although local wahoo populations can be affected by heavy commercial and sports fishing pressure, wahoo as a species are less susceptible to industrial commercial fishing than more tightly-schooling and abundant species such as tuna. Wahoo are regularly taken as a by-catch in various commercial fisheries, including longline fisheries for tuna, billfish and dolphinfish (Mahi-mahi or dorado) and in tuna purse seine fisheries - especially in sets made around floating objects, which act as a focal point for a great deal of other marine life besides tuna - but the species as a whole is not considered overfished.

In most parts of its range the wahoo is a highly-prized sport fishing catch. It is a handsome looking fish that reaches a good size, often available not too far from land, a very good fighter on light to medium tackle - being famed in sports fishing circles for the speed and strength of its first run - as well as an excellent table fish. The aggressive habits and razor-sharp teeth of the wahoo can however be of considerable annoyance when targeting larger gamefish, as when tuna or Marlin Fishing.