See full version: Fishing for Mahi-Mahi
When preparing mahi for the table, you need to skin them. Some people like to outline the skin with a
sharp knife and pull the skin off while others filet the fish and then filet the skin off. Either way works so
just go at it whichever way you like. Baked or grilled, mahi are great eating!
Fishing for Mahi-Mahi: Dolphin fish, mahi-mahi or simply mahi is one of the most exciting and most beautiful fish sought by
fishermen venturing out usually ten miles to seventy miles from the beach. They change colors and are
very acrobatic. They are excellent to eat. Let’s discuss where and how we can catch mahi.
For those with smaller boats, mahi can be found much closer to shore during the heat of summer. By the
first of July and sometimes in late June mahi can be caught as close in as ten miles from the beach. Here
techniques and tackle change significantly from those used in the Gulf Stream. In the Stream, you might
use a 30-80 pound class rod and size 50 reel, but “inshore” a 20 size reel and a 12 to 25 pound rod is all
you need. While you can still troll at the same six to nine knots, you can also slow troll (just in gear) or
even drift. Because inshore we usually do not see the weed lines like those in the Stream or other surface
structure, drifting allows the boat to be the structure attracting the mahi. Free line a couple of baits fairly
close in and two baits a bit further out; throw out a few chunks of ballyhoo or menhaden as chum and just
relax. Mahi like surface structure of any kind and your drifting boat becomes the surface structure. Stay
alert while relaxing because you may well hook into a nice king or cobia as well as a mahi. Additionally,
instead of ballyhoo, you can use live bait such as menhaden, bluefish, mullet and pinfish. Another
effective bait for mahi is squid. In fact I like to keep a spinning rod rigged and ready with four feet of
fluorocarbon and a 2/0 J hook tipped with squid or a chunk of ballyhoo to cast out when a mahi is on the
hook on another rod. Almost never is there just one mahi around. Inshore mahi are typically smaller than
those caught in the Stream so have a gaff appropriately sized for the smaller fish.
Mahi can be caught in the Gulf Stream virtually all summer long off the North Carolina coast. In the
Stream, the most used technique is to troll ballyhoo either skirted or naked. What this means is ballyhoo
is the bait and sometimes a skirt is added to give a flash of color and other times no skirt is used. Trolling
speeds vary, but usually run between six and nine knots. Leaders are typically 100 to 150 pound
fluorocarbon and fifteen feet long. At the end of the rig line, where the main line is attached, is a ball
bearing swivel and on the “meat” end is a 7/0 to 8/0 hook with a nose spring to help hold the bait on the
hook and to help the bait wobble straight while trolling. A spiraling bait is not desirable. Once you have
hooked a mahi and worked him to the boat, the designated leader man will grab the leader and “pull” the
fish to the gaff and subsequently into the cooler. Mahi fish are found, often in large numbers, around
weed lines, floating structure and upwelling structure under the water surface. [links]
As always, let me know if I can assist with any details and clarification, and please check back often for
future articles. You are welcome to suggest future topics you would like to see covered. My email is
below.
If you find yourself in what I like to call “the schoolie dolphin frenzy,” stay calm! Schoolie Dolphin Frenzies can be the most exciting and fun fishing or the worst fishing you will ever experience. It is not a matter of whether or not it will be chaotic it is a matter of whether or not you will organize and control the chaos. [links]
When you are trolling for Mahi Mahi it is important to make sure you find the right speed. Mahi Mahi are aggressive fish and will eat fast as well. Professionals tell you to troll for Mahi Mahi between 2 and 9 knots. Try varying speeds until you get a bite, but more importantly be consistent and make sure you keep the boat moving at a steady pace. here
If you do not have your trolling gear with you, another method used to catch Mahi Mahi ( Dolphin fish) is drifting with chunk bait or live bait around weedlines. Sometimes the weedlines will be patchy making it difficult to troll. If this is the case, you can drift around them with baits out. If Mahi Mahi ( Dolphin fish) are around, they should be able to track down your baits.
Mahi Mahi are surface dwellers, meaning they typically swim close to the surface of the water. They are mostly found in waters over 150’ though are frequently caught in both shallower and deeper waters. Since they are mostly cruising close to the surface there are many things as anglers that we can be on the lookout for when we are fishing for Mahi Mahi.
A good spread for Mahi Mahi is to have 3 – 4 rods out. If you are experienced and have outriggers you can do more. A good spread is to have two rigged ballyhoo on the outside with one or two artificial trolling lures down the center (See “Best Trolling Lures & Baits For Mahi Mahi” for more information). Pink or blue are popular lure colors when targeting Mahi Mahi. If you are new to trolling, start with 2 – 3 rods. [links]
When you are fishing offshore for Mahi Mahi you will likely see birds flying overhead. Birds are a good indication that there is a bait. If there is a lot of bait in one are there is a good chance that Mahi Mahi and other offshore gamefish are nearby. It may be worth checking out when you are fishing for Mahi Mahi. here
As with other offshore game fish, you’ll be trolling a spread of rigged ballyhoo and lures. A typical spread I run for Mahi consist of seven lines. I like to have medium size Ballyhoo in the cooler with a couple of Horse Ballyhoo to weed out the smaller Dolphin. Lures selection will contain Shooters, a couple of sea witches, a few larger chugger style lures, a couple of daisy chains, a Mini Bar or two, and of course a Boone bird. My color choice will be on the bright side, greens and yellows, pinks, and blue and white. here
WHAT: Mahi-mahi are probably the most colorful fish found while trolling the open oceans. Scientifically named Coryphaena hippurus, they go by many other names like, Dolphin, Dorado, or Goldmakrele. They also have other nicknames based on their size…Chicken, Peanut, Bailer, Gaffer, Hoister, Cow, Bull. The name Mahi-mahi is Hawaiian for “strong-strong”. No Matter what you call them, they are not only one of the best tasting fish in the ocean, but can be one of the most dogged fighters swimming in the tropical waters.
Large weed patches and flotsam can be home to small baitfish. They congregate around these areas for protection. And where there’s bait, the predators are soon to follow. Smaller Dolphin will school under these weeds and debris in ambush of these smaller baits, and as protection from their own predators. Larger Bulls and Cows are known to hang on the outskirts of large weed beds. With their tremendous bursts of speed, they are able to strike from a distance in a hurry. more
Locally along the Mid-Atlantic, Mahi can be caught as close as Navy towers off the Outer Banks and the Triangle Wrecks out of Virginia, all depending on water temperatures. Mahi landings start in Hatteras and Oregon Inlet in mid to late April and will continue through the Summer. Once waters warm up over the Cigar and Norfolk Canyons, Dolphin will appear on the docks of Virginia marinas. more
Trolling is the best way to locate these fish. Like I said earlier, most Mahi are caught while in pursuit of other game fish, like Tuna and Marlin. When you come across a weed patch or debris field, spreads can be adjusted to entice more large Mahi strikes. here
Our fishing charter captains know the right seasons and places to raise your chances of reeling in the big one and going home with a beautiful reminder.
Location: Mahi Mahi are found near floating debris and seaweeds patches. Most larger schools are females, which spend their time around objects. The catch ratio of females to males reflects this fact. Males spend the majority of their time in the open water swimming between schools of females. During the summer, Mahi Mahi move to warm offshore waters of 75°F or warmer to spawn. During this time, they spawn repeatedly, lying up to 12 million eggs, and the males continue to move between female groups. [links]
Description: The coloring of the Mahi Mahi is unmistakable. An azure blue dorsal fin extends high off the back and runs the length of the body. From the back, blue fades into a brilliant green and then into bright yellow on its sides. The underbelly of the Mahi Mahi is a whitish-yellow. Large, mature males develop a distinctly vertical forehead. here
Size: Mahi Mahi grow at an incredible rate of up to 5 in. per month with males weighing in at over 50 lbs. The most common sized Mahi Mahi is around 20 lbs. This fish is a common restaurant item, and it is a delicious main course. [links]
The Mahi Mahi, also known as the Dolphin Fish, is one of the most physically stunning specimens in the Gulf of Mexico. Its colorful appearance makes it a trophy fish worthy of any wall, especially if you are fortunate enough to hook a large male. This fish prefers more offshore waters, and has an attraction to floating objects. Fishing charters often target patches of seaweed and debris in search of Mahi Mahi. Any Mahi Mahi you may catch will be under 2 years old, as research shows that the fish die once they reach their maximum length and weight after 2 years of hurried growth. [links]
Contact Monster Charters today to reserve an offshore charter perfect for snagging Mahi Mahi. here