Mahi-mahi Fishing Trips

Mahi-mahi are a summer offshore fish in much of the U.S. and a popular one to bring home for dinner. They go by four names. Mahi-mahi, dolphin, dolphinfish and dorado are the same fish.

Mahi live near the surface of warm tropical and subtropical seas. In the Atlantic they range from Massachusetts to Texas, including the Gulf and the Caribbean. They grow fast and live short lives, up to about five years. They can reproduce at four to five months old, and the largest reach almost 7 feet and about 88 pounds. The fishery has long been mainly recreational. Anglers harvested about 8.2 million pounds in the Atlantic and Gulf in 2024.

What matters for your trip is where the fish gather. Young mahi travel in schools, while older fish tend to be loners. Females and smaller males often hang around floating objects, including mats of sargassum weed. The bigger males prefer open ocean. That is why captains pay close attention to floating weed and debris.

Where to go for mahi-mahi

The Florida Keys. Mahi are the Keys’ most popular summer fish, and the best stretch typically runs from about April through September. Offshore depths drop past 600 feet about 11 miles off the Upper Keys, so the run to blue water is short. Charter fleets run from Key Largo to Key West. Try Islamorada, Key West or the Florida Keys overview.

The Outer Banks, North Carolina. The Oregon Inlet Fishing Center lists mahi (as “dolphin”) from March into November, peaking from June through September. Gulf Stream trips also fish for yellowfin tuna, wahoo and billfish, so a summer day offshore can bring a mixed catch. See the Outer Banks guide.

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Dorado season in Los Cabos runs about July through November, and it overlaps with blue and black marlin season. Charters supply gear, live bait and tackle and typically include the license. See the Cabo San Lucas guide.

The Louisiana Gulf Coast. Louisiana’s offshore fleet catches mahi near Gulf reefs and platforms, along with tuna, snapper, cobia and amberjack. See the Louisiana Gulf Coast guide.

When to go

Summer is mahi season on the U.S. Atlantic coast. The Keys run from about April through September and the Outer Banks from about March into November, peaking June through September. Cabo’s dorado season starts about July and stays good into November. That makes late summer the one time when every destination on this page can produce mahi.

Our July and August pages show what else runs then. These are typical patterns. Each year depends on weed, water temperature and weather, so ask a charter for recent reports.

How the trips work

Mahi fishing is offshore charter fishing. Where deep water is close to shore, as in the Keys, ask whether a half day is realistic. Elsewhere, a full day gives the crew more time to search the surface for fish and floating weed. In the Keys you can pick from small center consoles up to large air-conditioned sportfishers. Some Keys captains run trips aimed at families.

Mahi are a popular fish to keep and eat. If you plan to keep fish, ask how the crew cleans and shares the catch. The Keys tourism council suggests broiling mahi with garlic, butter and pepper.

Choosing a destination

• Shortest run to blue water: the Florida Keys.
• Mixed offshore day: the Outer Banks in summer, where mahi share the Gulf Stream with tuna and billfish.
• Late summer and fall, outside the U.S.: Cabo’s dorado season.
• Gulf rigs and big variety: Louisiana’s offshore ports, where mahi share the reefs and platforms with tuna, cobia and amberjack.

Before you book

• Licenses. Ask whether the charter’s license covers you. Atlantic mahi are managed under a federal plan with bag limits, plus state rules. Our fishing license guide explains the basics, and rules change, so check before each trip.
• Half day or full day. Ask how far the boat usually runs for mahi in your month.
• Fish handling. Ask about cleaning, ice and how the catch is split.
• Sea conditions. If anyone in your group gets seasick, ask about boat size and calmer inshore backup plans.

See our guide to choosing a fishing charter for the rest of the checklist, and pair this page with tuna and sailfish for a full offshore plan.