California · Southern California
MAHI MAHI FISHING
IN DANA POINT
Dana Point 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 Dana Point
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 — Dana Point
Month-by-month availability for mahi mahi in Dana Point, CA.
How to Catch Mahi Mahi in Dana Point
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 Dana Point
Top spots where local captains target mahi mahi and other deep sea fishing species.
San Clemente Island (Dana Point)
San Clemente Island is accessible from Dana Point on long-range day trips, with deep rocky reefs holding yellowtail, calico bass, white seabass, and quality rockfish. The island's kelp forests and underwater pinnacles provide some of the best structure fishing in Southern California.
Tanner Bank
Tanner Bank is a deep offshore seamount roughly 100 miles from Dana Point where yellowfin tuna, bluefin tuna, and yellowtail concentrate over the underwater mountain's peak. Long-range trips from Dana Point access Tanner Bank for trophy pelagic fishing in blue water.
209 Bank
The 209 Bank is an offshore fishing spot from Dana Point where underwater structure concentrates yellowtail, dorado, and bluefin tuna during warm-water months. The bank's position in the outer waters makes it a reliable waypoint for charter boats on full-day offshore trips.
Catalina (East End from Dana Point)
The east end of Catalina Island is accessible from Dana Point and features productive rocky reefs and kelp forests holding yellowtail, calico bass, white seabass, and barracuda. The shorter crossing from Dana Point puts anglers on Catalina's fish-rich waters in under two hours.
Other Species in Dana Point
More fish you can target while visiting Dana Point.
Mahi Mahi Fishing in Dana Point — FAQ
The peak months for Mahi Mahi fishing in Dana Point are September. During these months, Mahi Mahi are most active and abundant in the Dana Point area.
Mahi Mahi fishing charters in Dana Point 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 Dana Point, 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 Dana Point, you may also catch Rockfish, Yellowtail, White Seabass, Lingcod, Yellowfin Tuna. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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