New Jersey · Jersey Shore
MAHI MAHI FISHING
IN POINT PLEASANT BEACH
Point Pleasant Beach is a solid destination for mahi mahi fishing, with good fishing in July, August. Book a charter and target mahi mahi with local experts.
About Mahi Mahi Fishing in Point Pleasant 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 — Point Pleasant Beach
Month-by-month availability for mahi mahi in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ.
How to Catch Mahi Mahi in Point Pleasant 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 Point Pleasant Beach
Top spots where local captains target mahi mahi and other deep sea fishing species.
Mud Hole (Lindenkohl Canyon)
The Mud Hole, also known as the Lindenkohl Canyon area, lies approximately 20 miles offshore of Point Pleasant Beach where the seafloor transitions from sandy shelf to soft muddy bottom in 200 to 600 feet of water. Ling, whiting, cod, and pollock concentrate in this area during cooler months, while the deeper edges hold tilefish and monkfish year-round. The Mud Hole is one of the most historic and productive offshore fishing grounds in the entire New York Bight.
Offshore Wreck Field (Glory Hole)
The offshore wreck field 15 to 30 miles southeast of Point Pleasant Beach includes dozens of shipwrecks in 80 to 130 feet of water, many dating to World War II. These wrecks hold tremendous concentrations of sea bass, tautog, ling, cod, and pollock that use the structure for habitat and feeding. Point Pleasant's massive party boat and charter fleet runs daily wreck-fishing trips to this area throughout the year.
Hudson Canyon
Hudson Canyon lies approximately 80 to 100 miles southeast of Point Pleasant Beach, the largest submarine canyon on the East Coast and a world-class destination for pelagic fishing. Yellowfin tuna, bigeye tuna, white marlin, blue marlin, and longfin albacore concentrate along the canyon's walls and temperature breaks during summer and early fall. Overnight canyon trips from Point Pleasant are the signature offshore experience for serious mid-Atlantic anglers.
Toms Canyon
Toms Canyon is a smaller submarine canyon along the continental shelf edge approximately 70 miles from Point Pleasant Beach, offering concentrated pelagic fishing at a somewhat shorter range than Hudson Canyon. Yellowfin tuna, mahi-mahi, wahoo, and white marlin patrol the canyon's edges where warm Gulf Stream water intrudes onto the shelf. Charter boats from Point Pleasant target Toms Canyon as a productive alternative when conditions favor the southern canyons.
Other Species in Point Pleasant Beach
More fish you can target while visiting Point Pleasant Beach.
Mahi Mahi Fishing in Point Pleasant Beach — FAQ
Mahi Mahi fishing in Point Pleasant Beach is productive during July, August.
Mahi Mahi fishing charters in Point Pleasant 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 Point Pleasant Beach, 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 Point Pleasant Beach, you may also catch Striped Bass, Fluke, Tautog, Bluefish, Black Sea Bass. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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