Florida · Southeast
MAHI MAHI FISHING
IN MIAMI
Miami 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 Miami
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 — Miami
Month-by-month availability for mahi mahi in Miami, FL.
How to Catch Mahi Mahi in Miami
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 Miami
Top spots where local captains target mahi mahi and other deep sea fishing species.
Gulf Stream Edge (Miami)
The Gulf Stream runs just 3-5 miles off Miami Beach, making it one of the closest bluewater fisheries in the world. Sailfish, mahi-mahi, wahoo, blackfin tuna, and blue marlin are all accessible on half-day trips during their respective seasons. The proximity of deep blue water to the coastline is what makes Miami fishing truly unique.
Triumph Reef
Triumph Reef is a deep reef formation south of Biscayne Bay along the outer reef line in 90-130 feet of water. The ledges and cuts hold mutton snapper, black grouper, yellowtail snapper, and the edges attract sailfish and kingfish trolling the reef line. It is one of the most productive deep reef spots accessible from Miami.
The Humps (Miami)
Deepwater bottom formations roughly 15-20 miles south of Miami where the ocean floor rises from 600-plus feet to around 300 feet. These seamounts concentrate swordfish, blackfin tuna, tilefish, and queen snapper, making them a top deep-dropping destination. Daytime swordfishing on The Humps has become a signature Miami offshore technique.
Biscayne National Park Reef Tract
The outer reef line of Biscayne National Park extends from Fowey Rocks south with dramatic spur-and-groove coral formations. Mutton snapper, black grouper, hogfish, and yellowtail snapper inhabit the deeper reef edges in 60-120 feet of water. The park's protected waters support a healthy reef ecosystem with impressive fish populations.
Other Species in Miami
More fish you can target while visiting Miami.
Mahi Mahi Fishing in Miami — FAQ
The peak months for Mahi Mahi fishing in Miami are April, May, June. During these months, Mahi Mahi are most active and abundant in the Miami area.
Mahi Mahi fishing charters in Miami 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 Miami, 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 Miami, you may also catch Sailfish, Snook, Blackfin Tuna, Mangrove Snapper, Tarpon. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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