Mahi-mahi
Fast-growing offshore predator that gathers around bait, weed lines and floating structure.
Tall blunt forehead, long dorsal fin, vivid green-blue-gold sides.
Commonly 5–25 lb; larger bulls occur.
Bluewater edges, weed lines, debris, current breaks.
Surface to about 300 ft
Palm Beach through Lower Keys; especially Islamorada and Marathon
Spring through early fall; available year-round
First light through midday while birds and bait are active
Moving water along color changes
What it eats
- Live pilchards
- ballyhoo
- small runners
- squid chunks
Lures & jigs
- Skirted ballyhoo
- feathers
- small jets
- poppers
- bucktails
How to fish for Mahi-mahi
Troll to locate; keep the school near the boat; pitch live bait or jigs.
20–50 lb class outfit; 40–80 lb leader; 5/0–7/0 circle hooks.
Use wet gloves, dehook quickly, ice harvest immediately.
Species profiles are fishing-planning guidance. Size and behavior vary. Regulations can change by species, season, region, water boundary and method—always open the official rule before harvest. Compare identification with the official FWC field guide ↗