California · Southern California
MAHI MAHI FISHING
IN CATALINA ISLAND
Catalina Island is a solid destination for mahi mahi fishing, with peak season in September and good catches in August, October. Book a charter and target mahi mahi with local experts.
About Mahi Mahi Fishing in Catalina Island
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 — Catalina Island
Month-by-month availability for mahi mahi in Catalina Island, CA.
How to Catch Mahi Mahi in Catalina Island
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 Catalina Island
Top spots where local captains target mahi mahi and other deep sea fishing species.
Farnsworth Bank
Farnsworth Bank is a submerged seamount two miles off Catalina's leeward coast that rises from 300 feet to within 55 feet of the surface, creating one of the premier fishing destinations in Southern California. Trophy yellowtail, giant black sea bass, white seabass, and calico bass concentrate over the bank's rocky pinnacles and purple hydrocoral gardens.
Catalina's East End
Catalina's East End features deep rock walls and pinnacles that drop into the San Pedro Channel, holding yellowtail, white seabass, bluefin tuna, and calico bass. The east end's currents push baitfish along the rocky coastline, creating feeding lanes that charter boats intercept with live bait.
China Point
China Point on Catalina's windward side features exposed deep-water structure where yellowtail, barracuda, bonito, and white seabass patrol the current-swept rocky coast. The point's position in the prevailing current means it consistently holds baitfish concentrations that attract pelagic predators.
Ben Weston Point
Ben Weston Point on Catalina's south shore faces the open Pacific where deep water comes close to shore, attracting yellowtail, white seabass, and bluefin tuna along the rocky coast. The point's exposure to open-ocean currents brings in pelagic species not commonly found on the island's sheltered leeward side.
Other Species in Catalina Island
More fish you can target while visiting Catalina Island.
Mahi Mahi Fishing in Catalina Island — FAQ
The peak months for Mahi Mahi fishing in Catalina Island are September. During these months, Mahi Mahi are most active and abundant in the Catalina Island area.
Mahi Mahi fishing charters in Catalina Island 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 Catalina Island, your captain provides all required California fishing licenses as part of the trip.
Mahi Mahi regulations in California 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 Catalina Island, you may also catch Rockfish, Yellowtail, White Seabass, Yellowfin Tuna, Pacific Bluefin Tuna. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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