California · Southern California
MAHI MAHI FISHING
IN SAN DIEGO
San Diego is an excellent destination for mahi mahi fishing, with peak season in September, October and good catches in August, November. Book a charter and target mahi mahi with local experts.
About Mahi Mahi Fishing in San Diego
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 — San Diego
Month-by-month availability for mahi mahi in San Diego, CA.
How to Catch Mahi Mahi in San Diego
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 San Diego
Top spots where local captains target mahi mahi and other deep sea fishing species.
9-Mile Bank
The 9-Mile Bank is a prominent offshore fishing ground west of Point Loma where a shallow underwater plateau rises from surrounding deep water, concentrating yellowtail, bluefin tuna, dorado, and yellowfin tuna. The bank is the premier offshore destination from San Diego and produces consistently through the warm-water season.
Coronado Islands
The Coronado Islands lie just south of the U.S.-Mexico border in Mexican waters, and their rocky reefs and kelp forests hold yellowtail, calico bass, barracuda, bonito, and bluefin tuna. San Diego charter boats make the short run to the Coronados for some of the most productive island fishing in the region.
La Jolla Canyon
La Jolla Canyon is a deep submarine canyon that comes remarkably close to the La Jolla coastline, creating upwelling that attracts swordfish, thresher sharks, mako sharks, and bluefin tuna. The canyon's proximity to San Diego makes it one of the most accessible deep-water fisheries in Southern California.
60-Mile Bank
The 60-Mile Bank is a distant offshore seamount that rises from the deep Pacific floor, concentrating yellowfin tuna, bluefin tuna, and wahoo over its peak during warm-water years. Long-range boats from San Diego target this bank for trophy tuna fishing on extended multi-day trips.
Other Species in San Diego
More fish you can target while visiting San Diego.
Rockfish
Yellowtail
Pacific Bluefin Tuna
White Seabass
Yellowfin Tuna
Striped Marlin
Lingcod
Albacore Tuna
Mahi Mahi Fishing in San Diego — FAQ
The peak months for Mahi Mahi fishing in San Diego are September, October. During these months, Mahi Mahi are most active and abundant in the San Diego area.
Mahi Mahi fishing charters in San Diego 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 San Diego, 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 San Diego, you may also catch Rockfish, Yellowtail, Pacific Bluefin Tuna, White Seabass, Yellowfin Tuna. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
Ready to Catch Mahi Mahi in San Diego?
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