New York · Long Island
MAHI MAHI FISHING
IN MONTAUK
Montauk is a solid destination for mahi mahi fishing, with good fishing in July, August, September. Book a charter and target mahi mahi with local experts.
About Mahi Mahi Fishing in Montauk
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 — Montauk
Month-by-month availability for mahi mahi in Montauk, NY.
How to Catch Mahi Mahi in Montauk
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 Montauk
Top spots where local captains target mahi mahi and other deep sea fishing species.
Hudson Canyon (Montauk Access)
Hudson Canyon is accessible from Montauk on offshore trips of approximately 70 to 90 miles, offering world-class pelagic fishing at the largest submarine canyon on the East Coast. Yellowfin tuna, bigeye tuna, white marlin, blue marlin, longfin albacore, and mahi-mahi concentrate along the canyon's walls and temperature breaks during summer. Montauk's position at the eastern tip of Long Island provides a relatively short run to the canyon's productive eastern sections.
Block Canyon
Block Canyon lies approximately 60 miles south of Montauk, a deep submarine canyon cutting into the continental shelf that concentrates pelagic species along its walls and edges. Yellowfin tuna, bigeye tuna, mahi-mahi, and white marlin patrol the canyon's temperature breaks where warm Gulf Stream eddies meet cooler shelf water. Block Canyon's relative proximity to Montauk makes it a favored destination for day trips targeting tuna during summer.
Atlantis Canyon
Atlantis Canyon is a productive submarine canyon along the shelf edge southeast of Montauk, known for concentrating yellowfin tuna, swordfish, and mahi-mahi along its deep walls and approaches. The canyon's upwelling currents bring nutrient-rich water to the surface, attracting massive baitfish schools followed by pelagic predators. Montauk charter boats target Atlantis Canyon for both daytime tuna fishing and nighttime swordfishing trips during peak season.
The Butterfish Hole
The Butterfish Hole is an area of productive bottom along the continental shelf approximately 40 to 50 miles south of Montauk where the seafloor contours concentrate baitfish and attract pelagic species. Yellowfin tuna, mahi-mahi, and shark cruise over this area when warm water pushes onto the shelf during summer and early fall. Charter captains use the Butterfish Hole as a waypoint and fishing ground when running to and from the deeper canyon systems.
Other Species in Montauk
More fish you can target while visiting Montauk.
Mahi Mahi Fishing in Montauk — FAQ
Mahi Mahi fishing in Montauk is productive during July, August, September.
Mahi Mahi fishing charters in Montauk 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 Montauk, your captain provides all required New York fishing licenses as part of the trip.
Mahi Mahi regulations in New York 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 Montauk, you may also catch Striped Bass, Tautog, Bluefish, Fluke, False Albacore. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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