New Jersey · Jersey Shore
MAHI MAHI FISHING
IN CAPE MAY
Cape May is a solid destination for mahi mahi fishing, with good fishing in June, July, August. Book a charter and target mahi mahi with local experts.
About Mahi Mahi Fishing in Cape May
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 — Cape May
Month-by-month availability for mahi mahi in Cape May, NJ.
How to Catch Mahi Mahi in Cape May
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 Cape May
Top spots where local captains target mahi mahi and other deep sea fishing species.
Spencer Canyon
Spencer Canyon is a deep submarine canyon approximately 80 miles southeast of Cape May where the continental shelf drops from 300 to over 3,000 feet. The canyon walls create powerful upwelling that concentrates yellowfin tuna, bigeye tuna, white marlin, and mahi-mahi along temperature breaks and color changes. Spencer Canyon is the closest major canyon to Cape May and a primary target for overnight offshore trips.
Wilmington Canyon
Wilmington Canyon lies approximately 90 miles offshore of Cape May, cutting deep into the continental shelf edge and attracting a wide range of pelagic species. Blue marlin, yellowfin tuna, bigeye tuna, wahoo, and swordfish patrol the canyon's walls and edges where warm Gulf Stream water meets cooler shelf water. It is one of the most productive canyons in the mid-Atlantic and a cornerstone of Cape May's offshore charter fishery.
Baltimore Canyon
Baltimore Canyon is one of the largest and most famous submarine canyons on the East Coast, lying roughly 60 miles offshore and accessible from Cape May on extended trips. The canyon's massive structure concentrates yellowfin tuna, bigeye tuna, white marlin, blue marlin, and longfin albacore along its edges and walls. Tournament-level catches of billfish and tuna make Baltimore Canyon a bucket-list offshore destination for Cape May anglers.
Cape May Offshore Lumps
The offshore lumps south of Cape May are a series of natural bottom rises along the continental shelf in 80 to 150 feet of water that concentrate gamefish. Yellowfin tuna, mahi-mahi, and wahoo cruise over these features when warm water pushes onto the shelf during summer and early fall. The lumps serve as essential waypoints for charter captains running from Cape May toward the deeper canyon grounds.
Other Species in Cape May
More fish you can target while visiting Cape May.
Mahi Mahi Fishing in Cape May — FAQ
Mahi Mahi fishing in Cape May is productive during June, July, August.
Mahi Mahi fishing charters in Cape May 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 Cape May, your captain provides all required New Jersey fishing licenses as part of the trip.
Mahi Mahi regulations in New Jersey 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 Cape May, you may also catch Tautog, Striped Bass, Bluefish, Fluke, Black Sea Bass. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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