We caught several sailfish last year and a tuna, cobia and some kings the year before. © 2021 FishingBooker.com. Samantha C: Hushpuppies! High season is April to August. The months of winter offer an amazing opportunity to fill your file with large fish. I tend to keep it simple when it comes to trolling for Mahi Mahi. Floating structure has the potential to turn into your best day of Mahi Mahi fishing ever. The big ones show up around April and they slowly start moving northwards in June, but stick around the south part of Florida, especially the Keys, until September. Steve Dietrich: Best mahi mahi quesadillas in the world! Our most notable catch was on New Years Eve when we landed a rare white marlin only 4 miles from shore. Do you have what it takes to become a Florida Fishing Products Guide? Throughout the rest of this article I am going to go into great detail on how to catch Mahi Mahi. First, you can troll weedlines for Mahi Mahi. They are an extremely sought after fish because of their great jumping ability, and bright, beautiful colors. Sometimes, if you’re lucky, there will be currents w/ weedlines in it. In traversing both the shallow and deeper waters, you’ll be on a 20’ Privateer center console boat, newly-restored in 2018. Sometimes offshore weed lines can extend for miles and they create a natural habitat for bait fish, Mahi Mahi, and other offshore game fish. Doing this will keep the other Mahi Mahi near the boat in the water. Though some of the largest Mahi Mahi (Dolphin fish) have been caught on small baits a typically rule of thumb is a larger bait will catch a larger Mahi Mahi (Dolphin fish). Mahi Mahi and other offshore gamefish will swim in these currents which make them ideal to fish. I hate fishing. Mahi Mahi are aggressive fish and will eat fast as well. Deep sea fishing has such different techniques. When the action is slow we have been catching monster barracudas on the local shipwrecks. Dolphin fishing in Florida is something anglers of all ages and experience levels can enjoy. They also can be identified by a yellow ringed spot near their tail. package offer, etc.). If you have multiple people on the boat have them reel in the other lines so you don’t have a mess on your hand. This boat gives you the ultimate 360 degree view of the waters and allows you to move freely when struggling against a big catch. The Mahi Mahi is known for its vivid blue, green, and yellow glow. Best Time of Year to Catch Mahi in South Florida? Dolphin are also known as Florida Mahi Mahi. As you are fighting the fish be ready! Its colorful appearance makes it a trophy fish worthy of any wall, especially if you are fortunate enough to hook a large male. Sometimes the weedlines will be patchy making it difficult to troll. May is traditionally the best time of the year to catch big dolphin in South Florida, and anglers don’t need to travel far offshore to find them. Below are a few baits that are effective for trolling for Mahi Mahi. Before you go out make sure you have a few packs of unrigged ballyhoo. If you see something floating around in the deeps, it is definitely worth checking it out to see if there are any Mahi Mahi hanging out nearby. You can go trolling for Mahi Mahi, you can drift weed lines for Mahi Mahi, and you can even be fishing for other species and catch Mahi Mahi! There is not a science to trolling for Mahi Mahi, but there are proven tactics. The runs are also much … Schoolie Dolphin Frenzies can be the most exciting and fun fishing or the worst fishing you will ever experience. During the winter months, Mahi Mahi migrate south of the east coast of Florida from Carolinas and provide excellent traffic to catch some fish. Mahi-Mahi Fishing Gear. It is the most popular because it tends to be the most effective way as well. Let’s get started. 54 tips and reviews. Mahi Mahi often travel in schools and will follow around the fish that is on your line. The spring and summer months (April – September) bring plenty of Florida Dolphin Fishing throughout the keys. modifications. When you are fishing offshore for Mahi Mahi you will likely see birds flying overhead. Make several passes or circle the patty to entice a bite. Love fishing in south Florida in the winter. They are mostly found in waters over 150’ though are frequently caught in both shallower and deeper waters. Take your time and work the weed lines and current for Mahi Mahi. Currents like the Gulf Stream are currents that typically contain warmer water than the water surrounding it. Going fishing out of Pompano Beach when we come down for the Miami boat show in mid February and wanted too see if that is a good time of the year to catch Mahi? In the Florida Keys, one of the main staples of offshore fishing during the summer is the spectacular and colorful mahi-mahi. It’s equipped with a top of the line Minn Kota troller system that allows you to anchor no matter how deep the water. There is no closed season. When you hook into one or more Mahi Mahi you will want to put your boat in neutral and start fighting the fish. If possible, spray down your boat as you’re catching Mahi Mahi. In order to control the chaos you need to make sure you have the following ready: Pro Tip: Clean as you go. Hubbard is one of Tampa Bay’s best offshore guides and knows a thing or two about catching Mahi Mahi off the gulf coast. They are one of the most colorful, hard fighting, cooperative and sought after species throughout the Keys. High season is May to August. They start moving southwards in November, passing Stuart and St Lucie's Inlet and can be found quite close to shore here until July. Be ready to have a good time with this very knowledgeable fisherman! 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. Go visit a Florida Fishing Products dealer today! 47 tips and reviews. You can purchase these at most local tackle shops in areas where Mahi Mahi (Dolphin fish) are regularly targeted. Mahi Mahi are the fastest growing fish in the sea. This is because the Subtropical waters of South Florida are the perfect place to find this migratory fellow. For more information you can go back and reread the “What To Look For When Fishing For Mahi Mahi” section, but you can troll for Mahi Mahi in many different places. The bigger fish typically come from the Keys, but there are some monsters caught off the mainland as well. NO. If this is the case you’re in a good spot. Flowing north from Key West’s Florida Straits along the entirety of the Sunshine State’s coast, the Gulf Stream provides plenty of territory for fishers (and their would-be catches) to explore. In this Florida fishing video, Darcizzle goes deep sea fishing out of Palm Beach Florida with some young fans. The average catch size will be 10-20lbs, the bigger ones are 20-30lbs and bulls up in the 50-60lbs range are not unheard of. FishingBooker uses cookies to improve your site experience. Perfect time of year, cool weather but fish biting all morning. Mahi-mahi are swift and acrobatic game fish with striking colours. different, you still keep your existing reservation – including the cancellation policy. 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. Must have! The other deal is subject to the same booking conditions you’ve opted for with When you are trolling for Mahi Mahi it is important to make sure you find the right speed. If the weedline is defined you will get caught up on way less Sargassum and you will not have to reset your spread as often. Similar to Florida-style Mahi fishing, you’ll want to locate a kelp patty, and then slow troll several staggered lines going back about 50 feet behind the boat. This is why it can be effective to troll past floating structure. There are many Excellent to Very Good species of fish to catch. YES! Larry H: Blackened Mahi Quesadilla was amazing! It was our first experience. When the schools of Dolphin are found they aggressively attack the baits. There are many other trolling lures that work well for Mahi Mahi and the best way to find your favorite is by trial and error. Trolling for Mahi Mahi is probably the most popular technique used to catch them. Our products are trusted by professional anglers all throughout the industry. Long wait but worth it. Great experience. As stated earlier, Mahi Mahi are a common fish that can be found in temperate, subtropical, and tropical waters. If there are mahi in the area, they will be attracted to the fish in trouble. They are in the Drum Family, known as Sciaenops ocellatus, they have a reddish, bronze top with a pale underbelly. Vero offers great variety for inshore fishing and has quick access to the Ft Pierce inlet for those who want to go offshore. Another thing to look out for while fishing for Mahi Mahi is floating pieces of structure. Second, you can troll around floating structure. Offshore, nearshore and inshore, Captain Kevin Kovach has experience fishing all the local fishing grounds and will be able to adjust the trip to better fit the preferences and experience level of your group. Mahi Mahi like warm water and are drawn to temperature breaks. The Mahi Mahi, also known as the Dolphin Fish, is one of the most physically stunning specimens in the Gulf of Mexico. Click here to join us in the Insider Club! They change colors and are very acrobatic. Want to see our reels in person? Posts about where to catch mahi mahi in florida written by Bar Jack Fishing and the 70' Lady K Deep Sea Drift Fishing Charters Drift Fishing Trips Sailing 8:00am to 12:00pm Mornings, 1:00pm to 5:00pm Afternoons, and 6:30pm to 10:30pm Nights, Located in Palm Beach County, Florida and serving West Palm Beach, Jupiter, Boynton Beach, Delray, Boca Raton, and Lantana. You do not need a bunch of fancy lures, though they will work they are not necessary to catch Mahi Mahi. 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. The average fish during the winter is about 10 pounds, while the average thickness is about 20 pounds. If you find yourself in what I like to call “the schoolie dolphin frenzy,” stay calm! Fried mahi mahi is better than the grilled.