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Mahi-mahi
Species Information
| Scientific Name: | Coryphaena hippurus |
| Environment: | Nearshore, Offshore |
| Ideal Temp: | 70-80°F (21-26°C) |
| Technique: | Casting, Fly, Trolling |
| Lure Type: | Flies, Plugs, Trolling |
| World Record: | 39.46 kg (87 lb 0 oz) Papagallo Gulf , Costa Rica |
| Other Names: | mahi, dolphin, dolphinfish, mahi mahi, dorado, goldmakrele, shiira, lampuga, lampuka, lampuki, rakingo, calitos, maverikos |
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.
Latest Mahi-mahi Fishing Reports and Spots
August 27 - 8/28/2023 5:01:00 PM
Last Sunday catch of #mahi on the #fearless (
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Slammer Dolphin is the term used to describe Dolphin over 20 pounds Title: Catching Slammer Dolphin Aboard the Charter Boat WILDBILL When (
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Pura Vida¡¡ from Quepos Costa Rica this is the fishing report for the Big Eye II Sportfishing today we went offshore and the weather conditions (
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Capt Matty and Chris had Dan Laible and family out today. Went into search mode and found the life no but no takers. Went to where some were bei (
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The post Early July Fishing Report – Over 50 Mahi! appeared first on Bud n' Mary's Islamorada Fishing Marina. (
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We are rolling through June and variety is the theme so far! Tuna Dolphin (Mahi) and Billfish (Blues and Whites so far!) with the occasional W (
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Puerto Vallarta fishing report July. The fishing report starts off with some exciting news just before July 4th. There’ll be many big celebrati (
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ADKINS GROUP Vicky & Bill and Russell & Chris Vicky Bill Russell and Chris joined us in Guatemala for incredible fishing aboard Allure II. They (
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Hola this is Captain Franklin this is the fishing report for June 1st today we went offshore the weather and water temperature were very averag (
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June 5 - 6/6/2023 7:30:00 AM
#mahi #tuna #snapper #mixedbag #fearless #fearlessfishing (
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