Florida · Keys
MAHI MAHI FISHING
IN KEY LARGO
Key Largo is an outstanding destination for mahi mahi fishing, with peak season in April, May, June and good catches in March, August, September. Book a charter and target mahi mahi with local experts.
About Mahi Mahi Fishing in Key Largo
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 — Key Largo
Month-by-month availability for mahi mahi in Key Largo, FL.
How to Catch Mahi Mahi in Key Largo
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 Key Largo
Top spots where local captains target mahi mahi and other deep sea fishing species.
Gulf Stream (Key Largo)
The Gulf Stream passes within 5-8 miles of Key Largo's reef line, bringing warm bluewater and pelagic species remarkably close to shore. Sailfish, mahi-mahi, wahoo, and blackfin tuna patrol the current edges and weed lines. Key Largo's proximity to the Stream makes it one of the most accessible bluewater fisheries in Florida, with boats reaching productive water in under 30 minutes.
The Wall (Key Largo)
The Wall refers to the dramatic reef drop-off where the shallow reef shelf plunges from 100 feet to over 600 feet along the eastern edge of the Florida Straits. Swordfish, tuna, and wahoo patrol the depth transition, while deep-dropping produces tilefish, queen snapper, and snowy grouper. The Wall is accessible on half-day trips from Key Largo due to its close proximity.
USCG Duane Wreck
The USCG Duane is a 327-foot Coast Guard cutter sunk in 1987 as an artificial reef approximately 1 mile south of Molasses Reef in 120 feet of water. The wreck holds massive goliath grouper, amberjack, barracuda, and schools of horse-eye jacks. It is one of the most iconic wreck dives and fishing sites in the Florida Keys.
USCG Bibb Wreck
The USCG Bibb is a 327-foot Coast Guard cutter resting upright in 130 feet of water near the Duane, approximately 7 miles offshore of Key Largo. The wreck attracts amberjack, almaco jacks, barracuda, and large grouper that hold in and around the hull structure. Deep-jigging and dropping baits alongside the wreck produces trophy-class fish on full-day charters.
Other Species in Key Largo
More fish you can target while visiting Key Largo.
Mahi Mahi Fishing in Key Largo — FAQ
The peak months for Mahi Mahi fishing in Key Largo are April, May, June, July. During these months, Mahi Mahi are most active and abundant in the Key Largo area.
Mahi Mahi fishing charters in Key Largo 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 Key Largo, 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 Key Largo, you may also catch Blackfin Tuna, Sailfish, Tarpon, Mangrove Snapper, Snook. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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