How to catch Mahi Mahi
If you have been out to eat a fine seafood meal lately you have noticed that the prices are a little higher these days. While that seems to be the case across our food chain, mahi mahi has always been expensive and for good reason. While mahi mahi are more common in some places than others they still take a lot of marine fuel to find. In this article, we plan on giving sport fisherman some tips to increase there chances while chasing Mahi Mahi and hopefully save you a trip their local seafood restaurant.
Where to catch Mahi Mahi
There are multiple locations to catch mahi mahi, for example, just about all states on the Gulf coast and the southeast Atlantic are best for fishing mahi mahi on the east coast. California and Mexico and most of Costa Rica serve as west coast hotspots. When fishing in the Caribbean, the FL Keys are a standout as well as Porto Rico, the Bahamas, Bermuda and Cuba. Keeping in mind, With plenty of reefs and wrecks along the coast and the Keys to it’s south it’s a pretty well accepted consensus that Florida is a world class spot for mahi mahi fishing.
You can also find a variety of different color Mahi Mahi off the Gulf Of Mexico. Those colors can range from green to bluish- silver, mostly depending on their mood and water temperatures. When their adrenalin get going their color actually changes. It’s not uncommon to see them do so shortly after entering the boat. Other hotspots to catch mahi mahi can include Puerto Rico, Cuba, Jamaica, Bermuda, and Hawaii. My personal best mahi mahi was caught in 2016 just off the coast of Hilton Head, SC. unfortunately my phone took a dive later that day so that particular photo remains at the bottom of the Atlantic.
Because different locations hold different populations of mahi mahi be sure to check the regulations for that area before you depart on a trip. The east and west coast of Florida is a good example of the various regulations. Below is a link a link that has Gulf State Waters and Atlantic State Waters size and bag limit for mahi mahi in the state of Florida. If you do choose to go with a professional guide that guide should have such info readily available.
Methods of catching mahi mahi
You can catch mahi mahi using methods such as “trolling” at 2-9 knots with heavy tackle, or “sight-casting” with lighter tackle and spinning rods. You can also drift through “weed lines” which are made of an orangish, brown color that typically clumped together to create weed lines. Be sure when drifting near weed lines, to be on the lookout for bigger tanglings of sea-weed, as they can get caught up in your boat motor. On the other hand, It’s important to know that pelicans or birds are a good indication that mahi mahi may be near. You can also throw cut bait such as ballyhoo into the water to attract mahi mahi. Often times we catch mackerel, wahoo and wahoo when seeking out mahi mahi. This link includes a good recipe to use when cooking the mahi mahi you caught!
What to bring when catching mahi mahi
It’s very important to know what setup and equipment is effective, when targeting mahi mahi. It is vital to have 3-4 already set-up rigs with light tackle. Most fishermen use set-ups such as “Osprey Saltwater Series 4000-5000” with braided line on a 10-20lb spinning rod. You want to be sure that your leader is at least 3 feet long, as well as using a pink, blue or green bucktail jig on the end. Uniquely, you may also want to keep a rag on you, as mahi mahi are very slippery, and are hard to keep control of. Another key point to keep in mind, is some mahi mahi weigh way more than others, which can sometimes be challenging when trying to reel in. Smaller mahi mahi are referred to as ‘Chicken Dolphin’. Our Guides catch lots of these around Mississippi and Alabama.
With this being said, it’s important to know that mahi mahi color patterns depend on the water and mood. Mahi mahi can be found in reefs and solid structures, all over the world. In addition, there are plenty of different methods that can be used when attempting to catch mahi mahi as well as rigs and lures. Keeping in mind the rules and regulations that vary from state to state. One of the most effective ways to know how to catch mahi mahi is to go with someone that has experience and can show you the best spots!
