Florida · Southeast
MAHI MAHI FISHING
IN WEST PALM BEACH
West Palm Beach 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 West Palm Beach
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 — West Palm Beach
Month-by-month availability for mahi mahi in West Palm Beach, FL.
How to Catch Mahi Mahi in West Palm Beach
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 West Palm Beach
Top spots where local captains target mahi mahi and other deep sea fishing species.
Gulf Stream (West Palm Beach)
The Gulf Stream runs within 2-4 miles of the Palm Beach coastline, bringing bluewater and pelagic species closer to shore than almost anywhere in the continental United States. Sailfish, mahi-mahi, wahoo, and kingfish patrol the current edges during winter sailfish season. West Palm Beach is considered part of the Sailfish Capital of the World for good reason.
Pushbutton Hill
Pushbutton Hill is a renowned deep-water fishing ground east of Palm Beach where a natural bottom rise concentrates bait and predators in 200-400 feet of water. Swordfish, tilefish, queen snapper, and blackbelly rosefish are targeted with deep-drop and electric reel techniques. The area is also productive for daytime swordfishing, a technique pioneered in these waters.
The Hump (Palm Beach)
The Hump is an underwater seamount east of Palm Beach where the ocean floor rises dramatically, concentrating baitfish and attracting sailfish, wahoo, mahi-mahi, and blackfin tuna. The feature sits along the western edge of the Gulf Stream, making it a convergence zone for multiple current patterns. Winter sailfishing here can produce double-digit releases in a single day.
Palm Beach Offshore Wrecks
Numerous wrecks and artificial reef structures deployed in 100-300 feet of water offshore of West Palm Beach create productive deep-water fishing grounds. Amberjack, almaco jacks, African pompano, and large grouper hold on the deeper wrecks, while swordfish and tuna are caught in the adjacent Gulf Stream waters. These sites are accessible on full-day charter trips.
Other Species in West Palm Beach
More fish you can target while visiting West Palm Beach.
Mahi Mahi Fishing in West Palm Beach — FAQ
The peak months for Mahi Mahi fishing in West Palm Beach are April, May, June. During these months, Mahi Mahi are most active and abundant in the West Palm Beach area.
Mahi Mahi fishing charters in West Palm Beach 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 West Palm Beach, 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 West Palm Beach, 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 West Palm Beach?
Compare verified charter captains, check availability, and book your mahi mahi fishing trip today.
Get Charter Quotes