Antigua & Barbuda · Antigua Coast
MAHI MAHI FISHING
IN ENGLISH HARBOUR
English Harbour is an outstanding destination for mahi mahi fishing, with peak season in January, February, March and good catches in June, July, August. Book a charter and target mahi mahi with local experts.
About Mahi Mahi Fishing in English Harbour
Also called Dolphin or Dorado. Stunningly beautiful and acrobatic. Excellent eating.
Mahi Mahi — also called Dolphin or Dorado — are the most brilliantly colored fish in the ocean. Their iridescent body shimmers with electric blues, greens, and golds that literally change before your eyes. Males (called "bulls") develop a prominent flat forehead, while females ("cows") have a more rounded head profile. These fast-growing pelagic fish are found in blue water near floating debris, weed lines, and current edges. They are acrobatic fighters that tailwalk across the surface and make spectacular aerial leaps.
Scientific name: Coryphaena hippurus
Mahi Mahi Seasonal Calendar — English Harbour
Month-by-month availability for mahi mahi in English Harbour, AG.
How to Catch Mahi Mahi in English Harbour
Techniques & Bait
Trolling ballyhoo rigged with colorful duster/lure combinations along weed lines, current edges, and near floating debris is the classic technique. Once a school is located, stop the boat and pitch live pilchards, cut ballyhoo, or small live baits to the school — mahi travel in groups and multiple hookups are common. Casting light jigs, spoons, or fly-rod streamers to fish visible near floating objects is incredibly exciting. Keep one fish in the water next to the boat to hold the school in place while catching others.
Recommended Tackle
Medium spinning or conventional rod (6'6"-7 ft), 4000-5000 reel, 20-30 lb braid, 30-40 lb fluorocarbon leader. For trolling: 20-30 lb class conventional rigs. Mahi have sandpaper-like mouths — fluorocarbon leader works fine (no wire needed).
Best Deep Sea Fishing Fishing Spots in English Harbour
Top spots where local captains target mahi mahi and other deep sea fishing species.
Southeast Shelf Edge
The shelf edge southeast of English Harbour drops into deep Atlantic water where blue marlin, wahoo, and yellowfin tuna concentrate along the depth break. English Harbour provides the closest access to Antigua's productive southeast offshore fishing grounds.
Antigua Bank South
The southern edge of the Antigua Bank drops into deep Caribbean water, creating a productive trolling lane for blue marlin, sailfish, and wahoo. Current rips along the bank edge mark the most productive zones for offshore trolling.
Guadeloupe Passage
The deep passage between Antigua and Guadeloupe channels Caribbean currents through a concentrated area where wahoo, yellowfin tuna, and mahi-mahi patrol current edges and temperature breaks. The passage is a major offshore destination for English Harbour-based charters.
Atlantic Offshore FADs
Fish Aggregating Devices deployed east of Antigua in deep Atlantic water attract mahi-mahi, wahoo, and blackfin tuna year-round. The FADs provide reliable offshore action accessible from English Harbour with a moderate run to deep water.
Other Species in English Harbour
More fish you can target while visiting English Harbour.
Mahi Mahi Fishing in English Harbour — FAQ
The peak months for Mahi Mahi fishing in English Harbour are January, February, March, April, May, December. During these months, Mahi Mahi are most active and abundant in the English Harbour area.
Mahi Mahi fishing charters in English Harbour are typically deep sea fishing trips. Prices vary by trip duration and group size. Most charters include all gear, bait, licenses, and fish cleaning.
Trolling ballyhoo rigged with colorful duster/lure combinations along weed lines, current edges, and near floating debris is the classic technique. Once a school is located, stop the boat and pitch live pilchards, cut ballyhoo, or small live baits to the school — mahi travel in groups and multiple hookups are common. Casting light jigs, spoons, or fly-rod streamers to fish visible near floating objects is incredibly exciting. Keep one fish in the water next to the boat to hold the school in place while catching others.
No — when you book a charter in English Harbour, your captain provides all required Antigua & Barbuda fishing licenses as part of the trip.
Mahi Mahi regulations in Antigua & Barbuda include minimum size limits and bag limits that vary by season. Your captain will know the current regulations and ensure compliance.
While targeting Mahi Mahi in English Harbour, you may also catch Bonefish, Caribbean Red Snapper, Yellowfin Tuna, Blue Marlin, Amberjack. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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