Virginia · Hampton Roads
MAHI MAHI FISHING
IN VIRGINIA BEACH
Virginia Beach is a solid destination for mahi mahi fishing, with good fishing in June, July, August, September. Book a charter and target mahi mahi with local experts.
About Mahi Mahi Fishing in Virginia 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 — Virginia Beach
Month-by-month availability for mahi mahi in Virginia Beach, VA.
How to Catch Mahi Mahi in Virginia 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 Virginia Beach
Top spots where local captains target mahi mahi and other deep sea fishing species.
Norfolk Canyon
Norfolk Canyon is a massive submarine canyon approximately 60 miles east of Virginia Beach where the continental shelf plunges from 300 feet to over 6,000 feet. The canyon's walls create powerful upwelling currents that concentrate baitfish and attract yellowfin tuna, bigeye tuna, blue marlin, and white marlin. It is the premier offshore destination for Virginia Beach charter boats targeting bluewater pelagics during summer and fall.
26-Mile Hill
The 26-Mile Hill is a prominent underwater ridge on the continental shelf roughly 26 miles southeast of Virginia Beach that rises from the surrounding bottom. The hill concentrates king mackerel, cobia, amberjack, and mahi-mahi along its contours where currents push bait upward into the water column. It serves as a productive way-station for boats heading to or returning from the deeper canyon grounds.
Cigar (Triangle Wrecks)
The Triangle Wrecks are a cluster of sunken vessels lying in 60 to 130 feet of water approximately 15 to 25 miles offshore of Virginia Beach on the continental shelf. These wrecks hold amberjack, black sea bass, tautog, and triggerfish on the bottom, while king mackerel and cobia cruise above. The wrecks serve as both a dedicated bottom-fishing destination and a trolling waypoint for boats working toward the shelf edge.
Washington Canyon
Washington Canyon lies northeast of Norfolk Canyon along the continental shelf break, accessible on extended offshore trips from Virginia Beach. The canyon targets yellowfin tuna, bigeye tuna, swordfish, and longfin albacore along its deep walls and temperature breaks. Overnight canyon trips out of Virginia Beach regularly produce mixed bags of tuna species during the peak summer and early fall season.
Other Species in Virginia Beach
More fish you can target while visiting Virginia Beach.
Mahi Mahi Fishing in Virginia Beach — FAQ
Mahi Mahi fishing in Virginia Beach is productive during June, July, August, September.
Mahi Mahi fishing charters in Virginia 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 Virginia Beach, your captain provides all required Virginia fishing licenses as part of the trip.
Mahi Mahi regulations in Virginia 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 Virginia Beach, you may also catch Striped Bass, Cobia, Fluke, Redfish, Yellowfin Tuna. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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