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Mahi-mahi
Species Information
| Scientific Name: | Coryphaena hippurus |
| Common Names: | mahi, dolphin, dolphinfish, mahi mahi, dorado, goldmakrele, shiira, lampuga, lampuka, lampuki, rakingo, calitos, maverikos |
| Environment: | Nearshore, Offshore |
| Ideal Temp: | 70-80°F (21-26°C) |
About Mahi-mahi
The mahi-mahi or common dolphinfish is a surface-dwelling ray-finned fish found in off-shore temperate, tropical and subtropical waters worldwide. Also known widely as dorado, it is one of only two members of the Coryphaenidae family, the other being the pompano dolphinfish.
Mahi-mahi live 4 to 5 years. Catches average 7 to 13 kilograms (15 to 29 lb). They seldom exceed 15 kilograms (33 lb), and mahi-mahi over 18 kilograms (40 lb) are exceptional.
Mahi-mahi have compressed bodies and long dorsal fins extending nearly the entire length of their bodies. Their caudal fins and anal fins are sharply concave. They are distinguished by dazzling colors: golden on the sides, and bright blues and greens on the sides and back. Large males have high, vertical foreheads, while the female's forehead is rounded. Males grow larger than females.
The name mahi-mahi means very strong in Hawaiian. They are extremely fast swimmers and feed extensively on flying fish and squid as well as on other small fish. Mahi-mahi are highly sought for sport fishing and commercial purposes. Sport fishermen seek them due to their beauty, size, food quality, and healthy population. Mahi-mahi is popular in many restaurants.
Mahi-mahi can be found in the Caribbean Sea, on the west coast of North and South America, the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic coast of Florida, Southeast Asia, Hawaii and many other places worldwide.
Fishing charters most often look for floating debris and frigatebirds near the edge of the reef in about 120 feet (37 m) of water. Mahi-mahi (and many other fish) often swim near debris such as floating wood, palm trees and fronds, or sargasso weed lines and around fish buoys. Sargasso is floating seaweed that sometimes holds a complete ecosystem from microscopic creatures to seahorses and baitfish. Frigatebirds dive for food accompanying the debris or sargasso. Experienced fishing guides can tell what species are likely around the debris by the birds' behavior.
Thirty- to fifty-pound gear is more than adequate when trolling for mahi-mahi. Fly-casters may especially seek frigatebirds to find big mahi-mahis, and then use a bait-and-switch technique. Ballyhoo or a net full of live sardines tossed into the water can excite the mahi-mahis into a feeding frenzy. Hookless teaser lures can have the same effect. After tossing the teasers or live chum, fishermen throw the fly to the feeding mahi-mahi. Successful fishing methods include trolling surface baits (flying fish, mullet, balao, squid, strip baits) or artificial lures; also live bait fishing or casting.
Once on a line, mahi-mahi are fast, flashy and acrobatic, with beautiful blue, yellow, green and even red dots of color.
Hooked dolphin may leap or tailwalk, darting first in one direction, then another. It is believed that they can reach speeds up to 50 mph (80.5 kph) in short bursts. If the first dolphin caught is kept in the water, it will usually hold the school, and often others will come near enough to be caught by casting.
Mahi-mahi Fishing
| World Record: | 39.46 kg (87 lb 0 oz) Papagallo Gulf , Costa Rica |
| # Fish Caught: | 1875438 documented in database. |
| Earliest Record: | 7/2/1758 12:00:00 PM and located at 10.00000, 93.00000. |
| Latest Record: | 1/29/2026 6:29:55 PM and located at 26.86383, -80.05500. |
| Common Techniques: | Casting, Fly, Trolling |
| Popular Lure Types: | Flies, Plugs, Trolling |
| Fishing Spots: | 3956 Mahi-mahi fishing spots. |
Latest Mahi-mahi Fishing Reports and Spots
Today was another beautiful day on the waters of Quepos Costa Rica with Big Eye 2 Sportfishing. As your captain it’s always my pleasure to guid (
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April 25 - 4/26/2026 11:42:44 AM
Some mahi mahi yesterday on a group trip! (
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Wow wow wow — what a month for fishing in Fort Lauderdale! The mahi mahi showed up a little late this year but when they did they came in thick (
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This November has been very productive off the coast of Fort Lauderdale with a good handful of nice gaffer mahi-mahi coming through. We’ve also (
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Our fishing charters here on the Outer Banks have been doing great. Our half day inshore/ sportsman trips are catching big red drum bluefish an (
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Marlin My Darlin Sportfishing If you’re looking for the best Fort Lauderdale fishing charter the end of April delivered some of the most exciti (
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Bright notes from the last 14 Days and our crew: mahi-mahi fishing has been absolutely fantastic lately and the overall offshore bite is firing (
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May in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, is widely considered one of the best times of year to be on the water. As the transition from spring to summer (
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April 19 - 4/20/2026 12:48:41 PM
Great day catching yellowtail snapper tuna and a mahi! (
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As a seasoned sport fishing captain at Big Eye 2 Sportfishing in Quepos Costa Rica I’m excited to share our latest fishing report. Today was a (
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