Louisiana · Southeast Louisiana
MAHI MAHI FISHING
IN VENICE
Venice is an excellent destination for mahi mahi fishing, with peak season in May, June, July and good catches in April, August, September. Book a charter and target mahi mahi with local experts.
About Mahi Mahi Fishing in Venice
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 — Venice
Month-by-month availability for mahi mahi in Venice, LA.
How to Catch Mahi Mahi in Venice
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 Venice
Top spots where local captains target mahi mahi and other deep sea fishing species.
Oil Rig Alley
The dense concentration of oil and gas platforms stretching south from Venice into deeper Gulf waters creates the most productive artificial reef system on the planet. Yellowfin tuna, wahoo, mahi-mahi, and marlin patrol the platforms in 200-plus feet of water. Jigging around the rigs and trolling between them is Venice's signature offshore technique and produces world-class catches.
Midnight Lump
The Midnight Lump is a prominent underwater seamount approximately 60 miles south of Venice where the ocean floor rises dramatically from surrounding depths. Yellowfin tuna, blue marlin, wahoo, and mahi-mahi concentrate here in massive numbers as deep currents push baitfish over the rise. It is one of the most legendary offshore fishing destinations in the entire Gulf of Mexico.
Ram Powell Platform
Ram Powell is a deepwater tension-leg platform approximately 80 miles southeast of Venice in over 3,000 feet of water, surrounded by prime bluewater fishing grounds. Yellowfin tuna over 200 pounds, blue marlin, and wahoo are caught within casting distance of the platform. The deep Gulf water around Ram Powell consistently produces some of Venice's most impressive offshore catches.
The Lump (Venice)
The Lump is a well-known natural bottom feature roughly 40 miles south of Venice where a rise in the ocean floor concentrates baitfish and predators. Yellowfin tuna, blackfin tuna, wahoo, and mahi-mahi are the primary targets, with tuna exceeding 100 pounds caught regularly. Venice's reputation as the tuna capital of the Gulf is built largely on the productivity of this and similar bottom features.
Other Species in Venice
More fish you can target while visiting Venice.
Mahi Mahi Fishing in Venice — FAQ
The peak months for Mahi Mahi fishing in Venice are May, June, July. During these months, Mahi Mahi are most active and abundant in the Venice area.
Mahi Mahi fishing charters in Venice 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 Venice, your captain provides all required Louisiana fishing licenses as part of the trip.
Mahi Mahi regulations in Louisiana 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 Venice, you may also catch Redfish, Speckled Trout, Yellowfin Tuna, Sheepshead, Black Drum. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
Ready to Catch Mahi Mahi in Venice?
Compare verified charter captains, check availability, and book your mahi mahi fishing trip today.
Get Charter Quotes