Is mahi the same as dolphin?

Yes: dolphin, dolphinfish, mahi-mahi and dorado are all the same fish, Coryphaena hippurus. It is not related to the dolphin mammal.

How far out do you go for mahi?

Usually 6–25 miles off Islamorada, wherever the weed lines and birds are. A charter decides on the day from the water colour and reports.

Can beginners catch mahi?

Yes. Once a school is behind the boat the fishing is fast and simple, which is why mahi trips suit families and first-timers.

Mahi-mahi (dolphin) fishing in Islamorada: season, spots, bait & rules

Mahi-mahi (dolphin) fishing in Islamorada

Also called dolphinfish, dorado.

Mahi-mahi (dolphinfish, never the mammal) are the summer fish of the Keys: fast-growing, brilliantly coloured and the best eating in the ocean. From late spring the schools arrive along the weed lines and under the birds 6–25 miles off Islamorada.

Harvest allowedSkill: IntermediateCharter a boatBring your own boat

Where to find mahi-mahi

Blue water beyond the reef: weed lines, floating debris, colour changes and diving frigatebirds anywhere from the edge out past the humps. Schoolies gather under any floating object; the bigger bulls and cows patrol the deeper weed lines alone or in pairs.

Blue water off Islamorada · Offshore
Islamorada Hump · Offshore
409 Hump · Offshore

When to go

April to July is the main run, peaking in May and June; there are fish all summer and a smaller autumn push. Any day you can get offshore safely is a mahi day, but calm mornings after a few days of east wind, which pile up the weed, are best.

Best window on the day: The day's solunar major and minor periods between an hour before sunrise and an hour after sunset. Today's window and score are on the conditions page.

April: The spring run begins as the water warms and the weed lines form.
May: Peak month: big schools along the weed lines and under birds.
June: Still peak; bigger bulls on the deeper weed lines.
August: Scattered fish; look farther out.

How to catch them

Troll rigged ballyhoo and skirted lures along the weed lines until you find a school, then stop and pitch live pilchards, chunks or bucktail jigs to the fish behind the boat. Leave one hooked fish in the water to hold the school. Big fish eat a live bait or a whole ballyhoo pitched ahead of them.

Bait & tackle

Bait: Rigged ballyhoo for trolling; live pilchards or chunks of ballyhoo and squid to hold a school at the boat
Lures: Skirted ballyhoo, small trolling plugs and feathers; bucktail jigs to cast to a school
Tackle: 20–30 lb conventional for trolling; 7 ft medium spinning rod, 4000–5000 reel and 20 lb line to pitch baits
Rig: 6–8 ft of 40–60 lb mono or fluorocarbon (80 lb for big bulls); 6/0–7/0 hook on trolled ballyhoo, 3/0–5/0 on pitch baits

ballyhoo rigged pilchard bonito chunk trolling lures bucktail jig Tackle setup →

Tips for your level

Look for birds: a frigatebird working low over the water is the surest sign of mahi.
When the school is behind the boat, cast past the fish and bring the bait through them; a bait dropped on their heads spooks them.
Keep mahi on ice as soon as they are gaffed; the meat spoils fast in the heat.

Keeping one

Excellent: firm, mild white fillets that grill, sear or blacken well. The limits are generous but a cooler of mahi goes a long way; take what you will eat.

Keep only what you will eat, within the limit, and release the rest in the water where you can.

Questions anglers ask

Is mahi the same as dolphin?: Yes: dolphin, dolphinfish, mahi-mahi and dorado are all the same fish, Coryphaena hippurus. It is not related to the dolphin mammal.
How far out do you go for mahi?: Usually 6–25 miles off Islamorada, wherever the weed lines and birds are. A charter decides on the day from the water colour and reports.
Can beginners catch mahi?: Yes. Once a school is behind the boat the fishing is fast and simple, which is why mahi trips suit families and first-timers.