Florida · Southwest
MAHI MAHI FISHING
IN NAPLES
Naples is a solid destination for mahi mahi fishing, with good fishing in June, July. Book a charter and target mahi mahi with local experts.
About Mahi Mahi Fishing in Naples
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 — Naples
Month-by-month availability for mahi mahi in Naples, FL.
How to Catch Mahi Mahi in Naples
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 Naples
Top spots where local captains target mahi mahi and other deep sea fishing species.
Naples Offshore Ledges
Natural limestone ledges extend through the offshore waters west of Naples in 80-150 feet of water, approximately 30-60 miles from shore. Red grouper, gag grouper, mangrove snapper, and amberjack hold on the ledge faces and hard bottom. These ledges form the backbone of Naples' full-day offshore bottom fishing trips.
Baja Grounds
The Baja Grounds are a well-known offshore fishing area roughly 40-50 miles west of Naples featuring productive natural bottom in 100-140 feet of water. Gag grouper, red grouper, mangrove snapper, and vermilion snapper concentrate on the scattered hard bottom and ledge systems. The area is a favorite among Naples charter captains for its consistent production.
The Gap
The Gap is a natural bottom feature approximately 50-70 miles west of Naples where a break in the reef system creates a fish-concentrating corridor. Gag grouper, amberjack, and permit are found on the surrounding hard bottom, while pelagic species cruise the edges during warmer months. Full-day trips are required to reach this productive offshore zone.
Ten Thousand Islands Offshore
The offshore waters south and west of the Ten Thousand Islands region feature scattered natural hard bottom and reef structure in 40-100 feet of water. The remote location means less fishing pressure and healthier fish populations including gag grouper, red grouper, and permit. Goliath grouper frequent the nearshore rock piles and wrecks in impressive numbers.
Other Species in Naples
More fish you can target while visiting Naples.
Mahi Mahi Fishing in Naples — FAQ
Mahi Mahi fishing in Naples is productive during June, July.
Mahi Mahi fishing charters in Naples 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 Naples, 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 Naples, you may also catch Snook, Redfish, Sheepshead, Tarpon, Mangrove Snapper. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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