Florida · Tampa Bay
MAHI MAHI FISHING
IN CLEARWATER
Clearwater is a solid destination for mahi mahi fishing, with good fishing in July. Book a charter and target mahi mahi with local experts.
About Mahi Mahi Fishing in Clearwater
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 — Clearwater
Month-by-month availability for mahi mahi in Clearwater, FL.
How to Catch Mahi Mahi in Clearwater
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 Clearwater
Top spots where local captains target mahi mahi and other deep sea fishing species.
Clearwater Offshore Ledges
Natural limestone ledges extend through the offshore waters west of Clearwater in 40-80 feet of water, holding red grouper, gag grouper, and hogfish. These natural shelf features create productive bottom fishing on full-day trips from Clearwater's marinas. The ledges step down gradually into deeper water, allowing captains to target different species at varying depths.
Florida Middle Grounds
The Florida Middle Grounds are accessible on long-range trips from Clearwater, offering premier reef fishing in 80-150 feet of water. Trophy gag grouper, red snapper, and amberjack inhabit this massive natural reef system roughly 80-100 miles offshore. Overnight charters maximize fishing time at this world-class destination.
Pinellas County Offshore Reefs
Pinellas County's extensive offshore artificial reef program includes structures in 60-120 feet of water west of Clearwater. Red snapper, grouper, amberjack, and triggerfish colonize these deployed reefs, providing productive fishing alternatives to natural bottom. GPS coordinates for all sites are publicly available through the county marine resources program.
Clearwater Offshore Wrecks
Several intentionally sunk vessels and historical wrecks lie in deeper waters offshore of Clearwater, creating concentrated fish habitat. Goliath grouper, amberjack, red snapper, and cobia hold on these large structures in 80-130 feet. These wreck sites are among the most productive deep bottom-fishing spots accessible from Clearwater on full-day charters.
Other Species in Clearwater
More fish you can target while visiting Clearwater.
Mahi Mahi Fishing in Clearwater — FAQ
Mahi Mahi fishing in Clearwater is productive during July.
Mahi Mahi fishing charters in Clearwater 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 Clearwater, your captain provides all required Florida fishing licenses as part of the trip.
Mahi Mahi regulations in Florida 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 Clearwater, you may also catch Snook, Redfish, Sheepshead, Speckled Trout, King Mackerel. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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