Georgia · Georgia Coast
MAHI MAHI FISHING
IN ST. SIMONS ISLAND
St. Simons Island is a solid destination for mahi mahi fishing. Book a charter and target mahi mahi with local experts.
About Mahi Mahi Fishing in St. Simons Island
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 — St. Simons Island
Month-by-month availability for mahi mahi in St. Simons Island, GA.
How to Catch Mahi Mahi in St. Simons Island
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 St. Simons Island
Top spots where local captains target mahi mahi and other deep sea fishing species.
Saint Simons Offshore Reef (SSI Reef)
The SSI offshore artificial reef complex includes deployed vessels, concrete structures, and steel debris that have created productive habitat for red snapper, grouper, amberjack, and king mackerel in the deeper waters off the Georgia coast. The larger structures provide significant vertical relief that attracts fish throughout the water column. St. Simons charter boats target the SSI Reef on full-day trips for reliable production of quality offshore reef fish throughout the year.
Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary
Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary is a natural live-bottom reef approximately 17 miles offshore of St. Simons Island, featuring limestone ledges, rock outcroppings, and sandy areas that support a diverse marine community. While fishing regulations within the sanctuary are specific, the surrounding waters hold black sea bass, grouper, snapper, and king mackerel in excellent numbers. The sanctuary's healthy ecosystem ensures productive fishing along its edges and adjacent hard-bottom areas.
Gulf Stream Trolling Corridor
The Gulf Stream flows approximately 55-65 miles offshore of St. Simons Island, and the temperature break along its western edge creates a productive trolling corridor for mahi-mahi, wahoo, yellowfin tuna, sailfish, and blue marlin. The warm Gulf Stream water brings tropical pelagic species within reach of full-day offshore trips from St. Simons. The color change line where green inshore water meets blue Gulf Stream water marks the most productive zone for trolling.
R2 Tower Reef
R2 Tower Reef is a decommissioned naval tower converted into an artificial reef off the Georgia coast that attracts red snapper, amberjack, grouper, king mackerel, and cobia to its massive steel structure. The tower's vertical profile extends from the seafloor well up into the water column, creating a fish aggregation point visible on electronics from a great distance. St. Simons charter boats target R2 Tower for its consistent production of large amberjack and quality reef fish.
Other Species in St. Simons Island
More fish you can target while visiting St. Simons Island.
Mahi Mahi Fishing in St. Simons Island — FAQ
Mahi Mahi fishing in St. Simons Island is productive during .
Mahi Mahi fishing charters in St. Simons Island 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 St. Simons Island, your captain provides all required Georgia fishing licenses as part of the trip.
Mahi Mahi regulations in Georgia 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 St. Simons Island, you may also catch Redfish, Sheepshead, Cobia, Black Drum, Black Sea Bass. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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