Florida · Southeast
MAHI MAHI FISHING
IN STUART
Stuart 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 Stuart
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 — Stuart
Month-by-month availability for mahi mahi in Stuart, FL.
How to Catch Mahi Mahi in Stuart
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 Stuart
Top spots where local captains target mahi mahi and other deep sea fishing species.
Gulf Stream (Stuart)
The Gulf Stream runs approximately 15-20 miles off Stuart, bringing warm bluewater current and pelagic species within range. Stuart is widely known as the Sailfish Capital of the World, with sailfish, mahi-mahi, wahoo, and blackfin tuna as primary targets. The winter sailfish migration from December through March draws anglers from around the world.
Stuart Offshore Ledges
Natural ledge formations in 100-200 feet of water approximately 10-20 miles east of St. Lucie Inlet provide productive bottom fishing. Mutton snapper, yellowtail snapper, grouper, and amberjack hold on the ledge faces and hard bottom. The proximity of deep water to the inlet makes offshore trips shorter than from many other ports.
The Monster Hole
The Monster Hole is a well-known deepwater bottom feature off Stuart where the ocean floor drops into a dramatic depression concentrating gamefish. Swordfish, tilefish, and queen snapper are targeted by deep-dropping in the hole, while the edges attract tuna and wahoo. It is a signature deep-water destination for Stuart offshore captains.
Stuart Offshore Wrecks
Multiple wrecks and deployed artificial reef structures in 80-200 feet of water east of Stuart provide excellent structure fishing for amberjack, almaco jack, grouper, and large snapper. These wrecks serve as waypoints between the nearshore reefs and the Gulf Stream trolling grounds. Cobia and king mackerel also frequent the higher-profile structures.
Other Species in Stuart
More fish you can target while visiting Stuart.
Mahi Mahi Fishing in Stuart — FAQ
The peak months for Mahi Mahi fishing in Stuart are April, May, June. During these months, Mahi Mahi are most active and abundant in the Stuart area.
Mahi Mahi fishing charters in Stuart 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 Stuart, 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 Stuart, 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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