Florida · Southeast
MAHI MAHI FISHING
IN FORT LAUDERDALE
Fort Lauderdale is an excellent destination for mahi mahi fishing, with peak season in April, May, June and good catches in March, July, August. Book a charter and target mahi mahi with local experts.
About Mahi Mahi Fishing in Fort Lauderdale
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 — Fort Lauderdale
Month-by-month availability for mahi mahi in Fort Lauderdale, FL.
How to Catch Mahi Mahi in Fort Lauderdale
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 Fort Lauderdale
Top spots where local captains target mahi mahi and other deep sea fishing species.
Gulf Stream (Fort Lauderdale)
The Gulf Stream flows just 2-3 miles off Fort Lauderdale, closer than almost anywhere else in the United States. Sailfish are the star attraction from November through March, with Fort Lauderdale consistently producing the highest sailfish catch rates in the nation. Mahi-mahi, wahoo, and tuna are bonus catches while kite fishing for sails.
Swordfish Grounds (Deep Drop)
The deep waters east of the Gulf Stream in 1,000-1,800 feet provide world-class daytime swordfish deep-dropping. Fort Lauderdale pioneered the modern daytime swordfishing technique, and the area remains one of the most productive swordfish grounds in the Atlantic. Catches of 200-plus-pound swords are not uncommon on full-day trips.
Pushbutton Hill
Pushbutton Hill is a deepwater bottom formation roughly 20 miles offshore where the seafloor rises from over 1,000 feet to around 300 feet. This seamount concentrates swordfish, blackfin tuna, and mahi-mahi and is a legendary waypoint for Fort Lauderdale offshore captains. The upwelling currents around the structure create a natural feeding zone.
Fort Lauderdale Wrecks (Deep)
Multiple deep wrecks lie in 200-400 feet of water east of Fort Lauderdale, including the Mercedes I and the Jim Atria. These wrecks hold amberjack, almaco jack, barracuda, and large grouper on the structure, while pelagics cruise overhead in the Gulf Stream current. Deep wreck fishing is a signature Fort Lauderdale offshore technique.
Other Species in Fort Lauderdale
More fish you can target while visiting Fort Lauderdale.
Mahi Mahi Fishing in Fort Lauderdale — FAQ
The peak months for Mahi Mahi fishing in Fort Lauderdale are April, May, June. During these months, Mahi Mahi are most active and abundant in the Fort Lauderdale area.
Mahi Mahi fishing charters in Fort Lauderdale 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 Fort Lauderdale, 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 Fort Lauderdale, you may also catch Sailfish, Snook, Blackfin Tuna, Mangrove Snapper, Tarpon. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
Ready to Catch Mahi Mahi in Fort Lauderdale?
Compare verified charter captains, check availability, and book your mahi mahi fishing trip today.
Get Charter Quotes