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Mahi Mahi Fishing Charters

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Recently Booked Mahi Mahi Fishing Charters

Fishing in Clearwater

Deep Sea, Nearshore Fishing Charter in Clearwater

Clearwater Mixed Bag Trip

100% (6)
27 ft 1 - 6 People From $825
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Fishing in South Padre Island

Deep Sea Fishing Charter in South Padre Island

South Padre Island Deep Sea

92% (13)
35 ft 1 - 6 People From $1,359
Fishing in Islamorada

Deep Sea Fishing Charter in Islamorada

Offshore Thrills

100% (12)
40 ft 1 - 6 People From $1,210
Fishing in Islamorada

Deep Sea Fishing Charter in Islamorada

Ocean Thrills With Captain Don

100% (12)
28 ft 1 - 4 People From $770
Fishing in Fort Lauderdale

Deep Sea, Nearshore Fishing Charter in Fort Lauderdale

Unforgettable Day Offshore

92% (12)
45 ft 1 - 6 People From $935
Fishing in Stock Island

Deep Sea, Nearshore Fishing Charter in Stock Island

Key West Nearshore/Offshore Trip

100% (3)
63 ft 1 - 12 People From $1,760

Top Cities

“Our Damn Good Guides go above and beyond to provide you an incredible trip, and we’ve handpicked every single one. We’re passionate about the outdoors and about empowering people to find the perfect-match guide for the trip of a lifetime, every time.”

Jonathan and Attison   |   Co-founders   |   Austin, Texas

More Mahi Mahi Fishing Charters

Fishing in Tulum
Fishing in Tulum
Fishing in Tulum
trip description for Tulum Trophy Hunt in Tulum

Ever dreamed of fishing in the Caribbean? Join Captain Carlos as you adventure out to the beautiful waters located directly in front of his shop! Tuna, Snapper, Dorado and Grouper are some of his favorite catches. He is committed to conservation and operating according to seasonal schedules. Depending on the season you'll either catch and release or bring them home for dinner! On this 4 or 7-hour trip, Captain Carlos will take you to to the nearshore and offshore waters off the coast of Tulum, where you'll be targeting trophy species such as Barracuda, Blue Marlin, Mahi Mahi, Sailfish, Striped Marlin, Wahoo, White Marlin, and Yellowfin Tuna. You'll be targeting these fish using methods such as light tackle, heavy tackle, trolling and jigging. Whether you want to hold a rod and feel every bite, lounge until a rod gets bent, or go after a certain species of fish, Captain Carlos will give you some expert guidance to help get one on the line! Captain Carlos fishes aboard a 25' Imemsa center console that can hold up to 4 people. Powered by a 95 HP Yamaha engine, this lightweight vessel will get you where you need to be without any hassle! She comes complete with GPS, Snorkeling Equipment, and an Ice Box to store your catches. Captain Carlos will provide all rods, reels, and tackle. All you need to bring is any food or drinks you might want. Book your trip today and get ready to explore the beautiful Mexican waters! You can also purchase a Mexican fishing license for $10 USD at the shop. Read More

Deep Sea, Nearshore Fishing Charter in Tulum

Tulum Trophy Hunt

83% (6)
25 ft 1 - 4 People From $424
Fishing in Port Aransas
Fishing in Port Aransas
Fishing in Port Aransas
trip description for Into the Depths- Captain Daniel in Port Aransas

Hit the water with Captain Daniel and experience an action-packed day of fishing! This 8, 10, or 12- hour deep-water adventure allows you to target a bigger variety of fish, such as Red Snapper (depending on the season), Mahi Mahi, and Tuna. The crew of Captain Daniel will guide you every step of the way. You will fish for big game fish, troll weed lines, and bottom fish around rocks, wrecks, and structure. The crew especially loves teaching kids and beginners everything about the different fish species available in this area, as well as fishing techniques. Captain Daniel will supply fuel, bait, top-of-the-line rods and reels, tackle, and ice. All you need to bring is a valid Texas Fishing License with a saltwater stamp for those over 16 years of age, food and drinks of your choice (no bananas), and comfortable life jackets if you are traveling with children. Enjoy an incredible day on the water with Captain Daniel! Read More

Deep Sea Fishing Charter in Port Aransas

Into The Depths- Captain Daniel

100% (1)
36 ft 1 - 6 People From $2,200
Fishing in Freeport
Fishing in Freeport
Fishing in Freeport
trip description for A Nearshore Party in Paradise in Freeport

Head out to Freeport, Texas if you’re in for a true fishing adventure and pay a visit to Captain Rodney! Captain Rodney will show you various reefs and wrecks, all brimming with quality fish and surrounded by beautiful nature. Captain Rodney and his crew will help you chase Blacktip Shark, Cobia, King Mackerel, Red Snapper (depending on the season), and many more fish species. For these 5-hour trips, Captain Rodney chooses between three 27' ProKat catamarans - both provide a truly great fishing experience! These trips are great for families - Captain Rodney loves teaching little ones about the various species that call the Gulf of Mexico home. This trip is different from out nearshore in that we will run out to 9 miles and look for Snapper, Kingfish, Mahi and more. Make sure to bring a valid Texas fishing license as well as snacks and drinks of your choice (no glass). Captain Rodney will provide the rest - rods, reels, tackle, and an icebox for your day’s catch. Enjoy your day on the water with Captain Rodney! Read More

Deep Sea Fishing Charter in Freeport

A Nearshore Party In Paradise

100% (5)
27 ft 1 - 6 People From $935
Fishing in Marathon
Fishing in Marathon
Fishing in Marathon
trip description for Marathon Premier Fishing in Marathon

Come and explore a range of exciting fishing with Captain Brad. Based out of Marathon, FL you’ll have access to several kinds of fishing. Flats, reefs, and wrecks in the close offshore waters are just on your doorstep. The fishing is hot year-round, and Captain Brad carried with him a lifetime’s experience on the waters. On these shorter trips will see you head to the nearshore reefs and wrecks to reel yellowtail, mangrove, and mutton snapper, along with grouper, mackerel, and barracuda. With its beautiful coral reefs, Marathon is directly in the middle of 170 mile long natural reef. You can also motor a little further offshore to troll for some delicious species like Spanish and King Mackerel and maybe even a Blackfin Tuna! Note: for these shorter trips it's usually either-or. Whatever you choose, head out to sea aboard a 40’ D&A Custom sportisher. A versatile vessel, she’s suited to all kinds of fishing. While 4 people can fish at once, there’s plenty of space for 2 more to relax and enjoy the tropical scenery. Bring your own drinks and snacks to put in the captain’s cooler – just also bring an ice box for your catch. Powered by twin 480 HP Cummins engines, and with the onboard fishfinder and GPS, you’ll hit the sweet spots right away. The Florida Keys are a beautiful location to catch some of the finest fish in the world, so get out there with Captain Brad for the trip of a lifetime! Read More

Deep Sea, Nearshore Fishing Charter in Marathon

Marathon Premier Fishing

100% (8)
40 ft 1 - 6 People From $1,045
Fishing in Key West
Fishing in Key West
Fishing in Key West
trip description for Key West Fishing Slam in Key West

Captain Mark will guide you on a thrilling adventure through the waters of Key West, Florida! You’ll be fishing aboard Captain Mark’s 36-foot sportfisher, which is equipped with two 750 HP engines that will get you out to your destination quickly and seamlessly. She can accommodate up to 6 adventurous anglers and has a GPS, fishfinder, live bait well, and ice box. On this 4, 6, 8, 10, or 12-hour trip, you’ll be targeting a wide variety of species, including Billfish, like White Marlin and Sailfish, Mahi Mahi, Mutton Snapper, and Amberjack. You might also catch a few sharks. Prepare yourself to feel the intense power of this apex predator as you reel it in. The longer you go, the farther out you can travel, and the farther out you travel, the bigger the fish get! Don’t forget to bring a cooler to take home your day’s catch, food and drinks for the day (no glass), sunscreen, and a hat. Captain Mark will provide all rods, reels, tackle, and fishing licenses. Let go of your daily responsibilities and have some fun fishing with Captain Mark! Read More

Deep Sea, Nearshore Fishing Charter in Key West

Key West Fishing Slam

NEW
36 ft 1 - 6 People From $1,155
Fishing in Freeport
Fishing in Freeport
Fishing in Freeport
trip description for Freeport Run - 38' Luhrs in Freeport

Climb aboard the one-of-a-kind sport fisher for a luxury seafaring experience with Captain JT and Danny. At 38 feet long and almost 14 feet wide, the vessel offers lots of shaded space, two AC systems, satellite TV and music, and a legendary hull design. Needless to say, you will be much more comfortable than on most other boats. It’s equipped with state-of-the-art electronics, safety equipment including a satellite phone, epirb, and 8 man life raft. Two captains run trips often at the same time, Danny is the fishing expert, and JT is a diving expert. The boat is powered by twin 420 horsepower Yanmar diesel engines that are meticulously maintained by the Captains. For fishing, the equipment includes premium bottom fishing rods and reels, Penn international bent butt trolling rod and reels, and two heavy-duty electric reels for deep dropping in 350 + feet. The navigation system has more than 3000 way points saved over the years known to hold fish. The tackle on board will accommodate all types of possible offshore fishing. Half-Day Charters targets kingfish and blacktip sharks. 10 Hour Charters targets reef fish like snappers and grouper. Surface fishing for kingfish and ling. 12 Hour Charter adds fishing deeper wrecks and rigs for amberjack, grouper, shark, golden tile, and barrel fish as well as trolling for mahi, wahoo, and blackfin tuna. 14 Hour trips allow for more time spent over deep water wrecks and rigs and usually correlate with more and larger fish! Read More

Deep Sea Fishing Charter in Freeport

Freeport Run - 38' Luhrs

NEW
38 ft 1 - 6 People From $2,442
See All Mahi Mahi Trips

Everything to Know About Booking a mahi mahi fishing charter

What are the best mahi mahi fishing charters?

Our Damn Good Guides currently offer 680 mahi mahi trips, and the most popular trips are Clearwater Mixed Bag Trip guided by Gage, South Padre Island Deep Sea guided by Emilio, and Offshore Thrills guided by Paul.

Our guides are rated a 4.82 out of 5 based on 2642 verified reviews on Captain Experiences.

All guides on Captain Experiences are licensed, insured, and vetted by our team. You can access their reviews, click through trip photos, read bios to get to know them, and preview trip details like species, techniques, group sizes, boat specs and more.

Looking for kid friendly mahi mahi guides / fishing lessons? Check out our beginner and family friendly mahi mahi guides.

What types of mahi mahi fishing charters are common?

Deep Sea fishing is the most popular for mahi mahi as well as nearshore fishing, inshore fishing, and jetty fishing.

The most common fishing techniques are trolling, heavy tackle fishing, and bottom fishing but live bait fishing and light tackle fishing are popular as well.

How much do mahi mahi fishing charters cost?

for mahi mahi prices can range anywhere from about $800 to $5,000, but the average price for a half day trip for mahi mahi is $1,273. The average price for a full day trip for mahi mahi is $2,851.

What month is best for mahi mahi fishing?

The most popular season for mahi mahi fishing is summer, and most anglers book their trips 69 days in advance.

Do I need a fishing license for mahi mahi and what are the bag limits for mahi mahi?

See here for more information on mahi mahi fishing licenses, mahi mahi bag limits, and fishing season regulations for mahi mahi. When in doubt, your fishing guide will always know the right mahi mahi rules and regulations.

What is a Mahi Mahi?

The fish of many names. Alternatively (and confusingly) called mahi, dolphin, or dorado, this tasty fish is not at all to be confused with what many a layperson would classically consider a dolphin (which are highly intelligent aquatic mammals that breathe air and are not hunted). The dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus) is a fast-growing fish found worldwide in temperate and tropical waters. Mahi-mahi are known for their distinct look which we’ll get into later, but suffice it to say they are one of the most recognizable saltwater species out there.

The name mahi-mahi is Hawaiian in origin and quite literally means “strong-strong” - a pound for pound heavy hitter. The name dorado is commonly used on the coast of Africa and near to Spain, while how the fish came to be associated as a dolphin is less clear.

What is clear is that these beautiful fish are prized around the world. They have extremely fast lifecycles, meaning they reach reproductive age quickly and grow quickly, and therefore are great to catch and eat relative to other species as there is little long-term impact on their populations.

Mahi are distinct in both their shape and coloring. They are truly a fish made to swim fast (up to 50 knots): sleek with compressed bodies and a single long dorsal fin extending mot of their body. You can tell females from males because cows have a low, rounded head while mature bulls have giant foreheads (look up some pictures, you’ll see what we mean). They are set apart from other fish by their iridescent coloring ranging from bright neon green and gold to all shades of blue to silver. However be warned, when fishing for mahi you need to take a picture within seconds of getting the fish out of the water, because these fish are known to fade in minutes into a muted grey color when they die. 


How big do Mahi Mahi get?

Mahi-mahi can live for about 4-5 years, and rarely grow bigger than about 30 pounds although it can happen. Females generally max out at around 20-25 pounds and males around 30-35 and about 3-5 feet in length.

As mentioned above they can be sexually active within a year and often within 6 months, so they are reproductive beasts. Mahi as small as 8 inches can be reproductive, and females can spawn 2-3 times in one year, producing tens of thousands of eggs per event. Since mahi live in warm climates, spawning can occur year-round. All of this together makes them truly one of the most prolific fish in the sea.

Whats the biggest Mahi Mahi ever caught?

While above we told you that most bull mahi are no bigger than 35 or so pounds, we lied. You’d be lucky to beat those numbers, but there are a few lucky anglers who have gone far above and beyond, scoring fish upwards of 70 and even 80 pounds. The current all-tackle world record mahi mahi is 87 pounds and this massive record dorado was caught all the way back in 1976 off the coast of Costa Rica. A number of impressive fish have been caught since but none have been able to beat this record. In 2015 an alleged 102 pound unofficial fish was caught off Cabo San Lucas, but the fish was never officially weighed, so unfortunately this one can’t be verified.

Where is the best place to catch Mahi Mahi?

If you want a chance at the record, your best bet is one of these 5 locations: Panama, Cabo San Lucas, Florida, the Bahamas, or Costa Rica. Mahi are found worldwide in tropical, subtropical, and temperate waters and are commonly sought in the Gulf of Mexico, off the coast of Central America, Hawaii, and in the Indian Ocean.

Mahi mahi spawn in warm ocean currents and their young (and often adults) are found in floating bunches of sargassum and other floating weeds and debris, feeding on small critters. Dorado are surface-dwellers and while they are found over deep water, are often near the surface. They run in schools while younger and are often fairly easy to spot due to their coloration and the way they shimmer in the water. If you want a big bull though, he will often run solo.

Mahi mahi are also a great bycatch when cruising for other pelagics such as marlin and wahoo. You will generally find mahi in the same areas and be able to land one or two as a nice test run for your big billfish.

When should I catch Mahi Mahi?


In the gulf coast and Florida, the best time for mahi mahi is generally April through June and can be found in good numbers throughout the summer, but they are really a year-round fish many places depending on the water temperature. More specifically, they are great to catch immediately after storms because the debris spread out by the storm will concentrate the fish.

In the US there are not many state or federal bag limits for mahi mahi, mainly because they are so fast to reproduce there are few concerns about depleting the population. In the Atlantic there is a 20 inch minimum.

 

How do you catch Mahi Mahi?


Now that we’ve told you all about dorado, let's help you catch one. There are generally two strategies here: trolling and sight-casting. You can catch mahi while trolling in two ways, some people will target them specifically, while some will catch them while looking for bigger targets (like a marlin). This is why you always want a few different setups in your spread - you never know what fish will popup beneath you (or more common for the surface-dwelling mahi, around you).

Even if you are trolling, you always want to make sure you have a few spinning reels setup for when you spot some action nearby. Woe is the angler who sees a big bull mahi but has nothing to cast. This also adds some excitement to the day and breaks up a big day of trolling with some sight casting. Many anglers will say that hooking mahi mahi while trolling is generally not fun, because the tackle is usually more geared towards a bigger fish and the mahi won’t stand a chance. Most anglers consider a lighter tackle spinner to be more of a sportfishing fight.

You’ll commonly find mahi near flotsam, and you can cast into them right away (some prefer to chum nearby first). You can chuck bait near the flotsam and leave the bail open so that the bait sinks and the mahi can find it. Mahi mahi are not known to be very bright, and will generally take the bait and respond quickly and enthusiastically to lures and bait. When reeling, mahi are fast - don’t let them take all your line out before its too late.

Are Mahi Mahi good to eat? What are the best Mahi Mahi recipes?

Mahi mahi is known as one of the true treats of the sea, and if you head out for some everyone knows you are coming home and inviting your friends and family for a nice grilled fish dinner. Their flesh is grey-white when raw, and cooks to a nice clean white that is known to not taste particularly fishy (partially due to young age). This means the fish is also attractive to some who might often say they “don’t like the taste of fish”. The most common way to prepare it is grilled; we suggest fish tacos.

Recent Reviews of Captain Experiences

  • ★★★★★
    Great Trip. Would schedule another.

    David T. with Allen P. of Little Torch Key, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    Had a great time today Caught a lot of fish. Thoroughly enjoyed our charter. Will return.

    Jorge E. with Chuck T. of Key West, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    We traveled about fifty miles offshore. Randall and Jerry did a great job. They really put us on the fish. Caught over one hundred, kept about thirty, sent the rest back to grow up some more. My son, my nephew, their army buddy, and myself all different fishing levels, all had a great time. Will go back again next time I'm in Gulf Shores. Van Franklin

    Van W. with Randall S. of Gulf Shores, Alabama

  • ★★★★★
    Captain Ralph was a blast, definitely recommend and would go again!

    Zachary M. with Ralph M. of Miami Beach, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    We had a rough weather day but Capt Joe Joe put us on a lot of Mahi off shore and Yellowtail closer in. Outstanding day for our group and great boat handling skills from our captain and first mate. Will definitely book with them again.

    Arthur D. with Joel B. of Marathon, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    We have been deep sea fishing 6 or 7 times and by far this has been our best experience so far! Captain Zach and First Mate Jason with No Alibi had us on fish from the word go and we kept catching all day throughout our 12 hour trip!

    Joshua C. with Zachary W. of Destin, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    The best charter captain we have found and we have been on charters all over Fl.

    Theresa L. with Allen P. of Little Torch Key, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    Has a great time. We all enjoyed

    Clayton S. with Paul H. of Key West, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    Spencer picked us up as scheduled. Boat was extremely clean and well prepared. We were fishing for tarpon and had a wonderful time. Hooked into multiple fish and had one giant. Spencer was amazing overall and would absolutely do it again. Couldn’t recommend him more.

    Patrick H. with Spencer C. of Key West, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    Very good inshore trip - caught plenty of fish and numerous species. Planning to book again next year,

    David S. with Joel B. of Marathon, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    Captain Allen was absolutely amazing! We have 3 children and he was so awesome with them and very accommodating! He took us out and showed us a wonderful time and we came back with a ton of fish!

    Sarah L. with Allen P. of Little Torch Key, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    John knows where the fish are and is very active in getting to the best spots! Definitely will go again on our next trip!

    Caleb M. with Terry M. of Panama City Beach, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    Five of us did the 8 hour trolling and bottom fishing. It was an amazing experience from start to finish and we caught a barrel of fish including vermilion snapper, triggerfish, grouper and an Atlantic bluefish. We caught and released several out of season fish as well. Captian Kyle and Mate Danny are super friendly, helpful, knowledgeable and made the trip an outstanding one. We were all first timers and they made us look and feel like seasoned pros.

    Michael E. with Kyle L. of Destin, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    Great time, good fishing

    Noah M. with Nick S. of Port Orange, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    Enjoyed the trip! Booked last minute and Captain Henry was great! Fish we stubborn but he worked his magic and made the trip amazing!

    William S. with Henry R. of South Padre Island, Texas

  • ★★★★★
    Had the best time with Ron and the crew! Would highly recommend this experience to anyone!

    Josh G. with Ron C. of Pompano Beach, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    Great trip caught plenty of fish and had a wonderful time with the crew

    Chad F. with Jerry W. of Gulf Shores, Alabama

  • ★★★★★
    we had a great time who was great captain was even better than took us to all the fish were made at home made us feel comfortable. Really appreciate the trip.

    Gerald Y. with Brandon M. of Galveston, Texas

  • ★★★★★
    Had a great day fishing with Mike and Marcus. They were very friendly and worked hard to make sure we had a great time! Highly recommend.

    Sarah S. with Mike M. of Fort Lauderdale, Florida

  • ★★★★★
    We had a terrific day with Pete!

    Kipp H. with Pete R. of Islamorada, Florida

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