California · Southern California
MAHI MAHI FISHING
IN LONG BEACH
Long Beach 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 Long Beach
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 — Long Beach
Month-by-month availability for mahi mahi in Long Beach, CA.
How to Catch Mahi Mahi in Long Beach
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 Long Beach
Top spots where local captains target mahi mahi and other deep sea fishing species.
Catalina Island
Catalina Island lies 22 miles off Long Beach and its rocky reefs, kelp forests, and deep banks hold trophy calico bass, yellowtail, white seabass, giant sea bass, and bluefin tuna. The island's clear water and diverse structure provide world-class fishing on day and overnight trips from Long Beach.
14-Mile Bank
The 14-Mile Bank is an offshore underwater ridge roughly 14 miles from the Long Beach coast where bluefin tuna, yellowtail, barracuda, and bonito concentrate over structure in the San Pedro Channel. The bank is a premier destination for pelagic fishing during warm-water months when tuna push through.
Horseshoe Bank
Horseshoe Bank is an offshore structure in the San Pedro Channel where yellowtail, barracuda, and bonito congregate over underwater ridges and depth transitions. Charter boats from Long Beach troll and drift the bank during summer for quality pelagic catches within reasonable range.
San Pedro Channel Deep
The deep waters of the San Pedro Channel between Long Beach and Catalina hold bluefin tuna, yellowfin tuna, and swordfish during warm-water events, with the channel's depth exceeding 2,500 feet. Long-range charter boats work the channel's structure and current edges for trophy pelagic species.
Other Species in Long Beach
More fish you can target while visiting Long Beach.
Rockfish
Yellowtail
White Seabass
Lingcod
Yellowfin Tuna
Pacific Bluefin Tuna
Striped Marlin
Albacore Tuna
Mahi Mahi Fishing in Long Beach — FAQ
The peak months for Mahi Mahi fishing in Long Beach are September. During these months, Mahi Mahi are most active and abundant in the Long Beach area.
Mahi Mahi fishing charters in Long Beach 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 Long Beach, 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 Long Beach, you may also catch Rockfish, Yellowtail, White Seabass, Lingcod, Yellowfin Tuna. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
Ready to Catch Mahi Mahi in Long Beach?
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