Mahi-mahi, also known as dolphin (not the mammal) or dorado are predatory fish that may be found anywhere in tropical or subtropical water, the World over. The Florida Keys are an excellent place to fish for mahi-mahi. They are a deep water fish that live in schools. Mahi-mahi are anywhere from 8 to 140 lbs. Typically not more than 40 lbs. They are known for their aggessive behavior and for acrobatic ariel displays when they get hooked. Mahi-mahi are a colorful fish. They have a rich green dorsal fin that runs the full length of its body. the head will be the largest part of the body; the body just before the tail will be the smallest. The back of the mahi-mahi is rich green, the sides are yellow and/or blue and also the belly is yellow or white. The fish's colors can alter rapidly. The fish in the picture is really a female, weighing 34 lbs.
The very best times to fish for mahi-mahi are between April and June or October and December. Be sure to discover among the Key West fishing charters which will accomodate your intention to catch mahi-mahi. They can usually be found no less than 3 miles from shore in water around 120' deep and not deeper than 275'. Though mahi-mahi are deep water fish, they usually hunt near the surface. To find a school of mahi-mahi look for frigate birds or any kind of floating seaweed or debris, particularly Sargasso. The floating weed beds offer shelter for bait fish and as such, attract mahi-mahi. Frigate birds feed on bait fish so they can typically be seen flying above the floating debris or weed lines. Look for bait fish, especailly bait fish jumping out of the water. In the event you can discover debris or a floating weed line of Sargasso just off the edge of a reef that's an excellent place to fish for mahi-mahi.
At times you'll be able to attract schools of mahi-mahi by throwing out little baitfish like sardines or ballyhoo in nets or hookless lines whilst the boat is trolling slowly near the debris. You'll be able to also chum the water with live bait. In the event you see frigate birds you might try throwing a ballyhoo at them to get the birds stirred up. Which will stir up the fish. Either technique can typically goad the school into a kind of feeding frenzy, making them effortless to catch.
The very best times to fish for mahi-mahi are between April and June or October and December. Be sure to discover among the Key West fishing charters which will accomodate your intention to catch mahi-mahi. They can usually be found no less than 3 miles from shore in water around 120' deep and not deeper than 275'. Though mahi-mahi are deep water fish, they usually hunt near the surface. To find a school of mahi-mahi look for frigate birds or any kind of floating seaweed or debris, particularly Sargasso. The floating weed beds offer shelter for bait fish and as such, attract mahi-mahi. Frigate birds feed on bait fish so they can typically be seen flying above the floating debris or weed lines. Look for bait fish, especailly bait fish jumping out of the water. In the event you can discover debris or a floating weed line of Sargasso just off the edge of a reef that's an excellent place to fish for mahi-mahi.
At times you'll be able to attract schools of mahi-mahi by throwing out little baitfish like sardines or ballyhoo in nets or hookless lines whilst the boat is trolling slowly near the debris. You'll be able to also chum the water with live bait. In the event you see frigate birds you might try throwing a ballyhoo at them to get the birds stirred up. Which will stir up the fish. Either technique can typically goad the school into a kind of feeding frenzy, making them effortless to catch.
