How To Catch Mahi Mahi

Do you want to experience the thrill of fishing for Mahi Mahi? Do you want to learn how to catch Mahi Mahi? It is a favorite of anglers as it is a very strong fish that puts up a serious fight when it is hooked. Additionally, Mahi Mahi is one of the best-eating fishes. In this article, we will discuss how to catch Mahi Mahi, the fishing techniques to use, the bait and lures, as well as the equipment you need.

How To Catch Mahi Mahi

1. Trolling

Trolling is one of the popular fishing methods for catching Mahi Mahi. When trolling, you want to move the boat slowly and let your line move in the water. Drop the bait close to floating seaweed, debris, flotsam, debris, rip currents, commercial fishing gear floats, or spinnakers. When you get a bite, you take control and reel in the fish.

Mahi Mahi is a strong fish that will put up a hard fight, and jump in the air when it is hooked. Therefore, be ready for a fight to win control and get the fish into the boat. Set up multiple lines, preferably 3 to 4, to increase your chances of getting Mahi Mahi.

2. Casting

Casting is another fishing method to catch Mahi Mahi. Just cast your line close to floating seaweed, debris, and other floating objects.

3. Jigging

Jigging is another fishing technique used to catch Mahi Mahi. When jigging, drop your line as far down as you can go and then slowly bring it up from the bottom. Then pull the line in bursts to get the attention of fish that may be nearby.

4. Drifting

You can also drift with live or chunk bait around floating seaweed, debris, and other floating objects.

Mahi Mahi Fishing Tackle

A 7-foot heavy-action fishing rod with a 30 to 50-lb braided or fused line will work for fishing Mahi Mahi. Use a leader that ranges from 30 to 80-pound fluorocarbon and circle hooks of 6/0 to 9/0.

How To Catch Mahi Mahi From Shore

Most often you will find juvenile Mahi Mahi close to the shore even though adult Mahi Mahi can be found closer to the shore when the waters get warm. You can cast your line in the waters from the shoreline using bait or lures to get Mahi Mahi.

How To Catch Mahi Mahi In Florida

When fishing for mahi mahi in Florida, look for weed lines, especially sargassum. It is an orange-brown mass of weed lines that clump together. You will spot them on the surface swimming on the water surface. Mahi mahi can often be found around it.

Additionally, floating pieces of structure also attract mahi mahi. Any kind of structure or a broken object that is floating will attract mahi mahi. Strong currents and temperature breaks are also areas you can find mahi mahi as they like warm waters and temperature breaks.

When fishing for mahi mahi and you see birds circling overhead, that is a good sign that baitfish is the target of the birds and be sure that mahi mahi is also in that area trying to get their full share of the baitfish.

Trolling, drift fishing, deep sea fishing, and spinning are some of the fishing methods to catch mahi mahi. Ballyhoo is the choice of many anglers as bait when fishing for mahi mahi. Squid also works as well as lures.

How To Catch Mahi Mahi In Destin Florida

Mahi mahi likes to swim close to the surface. They are often found in waters with temperatures in the range from 68 to 83 degrees Fahrenheit. Mahi mahi can be in deep waters, as deep as 150 feet, or shallow waters. Look for weed lines, sargassum which is a kind of seaweed that clumps together offshore. Mahi mahi can often be found around it.

Additionally, floating pieces of structure also attract mahi mahi. If you spot any floating piece of structure, try fishing for mahi mahi around it. Offshore currents are also an area that attracts mahi mahi as they are attracted to warm water and temperature breaks.

When fishing for mahi mahi in Destin deep sea fishing, light tackling, spinning, trolling, and drift fishing are fishing methods used to catch mahi mahi. Squid and ballyhoo are baits used to catch mahi mahi in Destin, Florida.

How To Catch Mahi Mahi In The Gulf

The Gulf of Mexico is a fishing destination for many anglers, especially in the spring. Mahi mahi can be found all along the Gulf; Weedlines, floating structures, areas with strong currents, and temperature breaks are also places to target for mahi mahi.

Ballyhoo and squid are some of the favorite baits used to catch mahi mahi although lures can get the job done. Trolling is the preferred fishing method used by anglers but drift fishing, and deep-sea fishing are also used to great effect.

How To Catch Mahi Mahi In Hawaii

When fishing for mahi mahi in Hawaii, look for weed lines, areas with strong currents, floating structures, and temperature breaks. Any kind of floating structure tends to attract them. If you see floating structures, fish around them to find mahi mahi.

September to November and March to May are the best times to fish for mahi mahi in Hawaii. Squid, ballyhoo, and bullet heads are some of the baits often used when fishing for mahi mahi in Hawaii. Trolling is a popular fishing method but drift fishing spinning and deep-sea fishing are also used to catch mahi mahi.

Best Baits For Mahi Mahi

1. Squid

When learning how to catch mahi mahi, squid is a good bait to use. Anglers also use squid regularly when fishing for mahi mahi.

2. Mackerel

Mackerel is also a good bait to use when fishing for mahi mahi.

3. Pilchards

Pilchards work well as bait when fishing for mahi mahi.

4. Jack Needlefish

Jack Needlefish works as a good bait when fishing for mahi mahi.

5. Ballyhoo

Ballyhoo is the favorite bait for many anglers who fish for mahi mahi.

Best Lures For Mahi Mahi

1. Soft Plastic Jigs

2. Diving Plugs

3. Bullet Heads

4. Bubblers

5. Rigged Ballyhoo

6. Artificial Squid

Mahi Mahi Fishing Tips

1. The spawning season for Mahi Mahi is from February to June.

2. Mahi Mahi is usually found around floating objects like flotsam, debris, spinnakers, or floating islands of grass.

3. Mahi Mahi likes waters between the surface and about 262 feet.

4. Mahi Mahi is a schooling fish.

5. It is a good time to fish for Mahi Mahi during the spawning season.

6. Mahi Mahi prefers water temperatures between 72 and 79 degrees Fahrenheit.

7. Live and dead bait and lures can be used to catch Mahi Mahi.

8. Trolling, jigging, and spinning are fishing methods used to catch Mahi Mahi.

9. Use natural colors (white or yellow) and fluorescent colors in the mornings and evenings during low light conditions when you fish deep, over 100 feet.

10. Mahi Mahi has the tendency to jump out of the water when hooked.

11. When the waters start to warm up, Mahi Mahi can be found within 10 miles of the shoreline.

12. Mahi Mahi is a fast fish that swims from 50 to 57 knots.

13. You have a high chance of finding Mahi Mahi in areas where there are canyons off the Mid-Atlantic coast when the water is warm.

14. Mahi Mahi can also be found around bass pots and over shoals.

15. Mahi Mahi will swim in offshore currents and temperature breaks.

16. If you see birds circling overhead, that is a good sign that they are preying on fish that could also be bait for Mahi Mahi.

17. Troll the rip currents that are around floating seaweed.

18. Trolling between 2 and 9 knots is the general consensus, but experiment until you find the right speed for the area.

19. Always have a gaff when fishing for Mahi Mahi.

20. Jigging, spinning, and drifting are other fishing methods to catch Mahi Mahi.

21. When trolling for Mahi Mahi, you can chum to get the fish’s attention.

The Bottom Line

Mahi Mahi is a powerful and tasty fish that is a favorite of anglers. It is found in the Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean, and Mediterranean Sea. Mahi mahi is a member of the Actinopterygii family. When fishing for Mahi Mahi, target areas with floating debris, and weeds. Finding the right areas to target is key to succeeding with Mahi Mahi fishing.

If you are also interested in other fishes like marlin, largemouth bass, and haddock, then read these articles on how to catch marlin, how to catch largemouth bass, and how to catch haddock.