Dolphin (Mahi Mahi) fishing in So. FL?

[GeoRXT]

I am going to be targeting Dolphin on my next few trips. I live in Homestead FL. I need to know some good spots for it and what I should use to lure them in

I need to know everything as I am new at this, from what size hook I need for decently sized fish to bait and technique. All suggestions appreciated.

I have a 50lb line and appropriate rod and reel for it...And I have blocks of frozen chum...

 

[triumphrick]

Re: Dolphin (Mahi Mahi) fishing in So. FL?

I haven't seen too many posts from iboaters from down your way. I have targeted them in the Keys, up around Marathon. We ran out to about 300 - 400' and started looking for the grass lines on the surface. We threw them some dead greenbacks to stir them up then used our 30# spinning gear and hooked one. We left the one hooked in the water...that will draw all his friends on up and nearby. We left with 33 fish that day. The bag limit is 10 fish per person per day.

 

[GeoRXT]

Re: Dolphin (Mahi Mahi) fishing in So. FL?

What kind of tacke/bait where you using?

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: Dolphin (Mahi Mahi) fishing in So. FL?

I am going to be targeting Dolphin on my next few trips. I live in Homestead FL. I need to know some good spots for it and what I should use to lure them in

I need to know everything as I am new at this, from what size hook I need for decently sized fish to bait and technique. All suggestions appreciated.

I have a 50lb line and appropriate rod and reel for it...And I have blocks of frozen chum...

I'd slow troll areas out with that 50 lb test rig, I like "mexican flag" colored feathers....Also look for any flotsam, floating debri, they will school up under a small chunk of cardboard even...In SoCal we'd go "paddy hopping" from kelp paddy to kelp paddy, dragging feathers on the outside edge. We'd toss live sardines flylined on 20-25 lb test. My favorite rig for this was my 6'6 Calstar with a little Newell graphite conventional...

If ya hook one trollig, like TR said, you can bring him to the boat and let him hang while tossing bait to his buddies....Oh I miss it all...

 

[capt sam]

Re: Dolphin (Mahi Mahi) fishing in So. FL?

basically what both these guys said, look for any cover, birds, bait schools. I've got them trolling, using teasers and downriggers, freelining bait, even a bucktail once, when the feed is on they'll eat anything.

 

[JB]

Re: Dolphin (Mahi Mahi) fishing in So. FL?

I used to go out to blue water and look for floating "grass". Then I would cast to them with fairly heavy fresh water gear and a 1 oz. Krocodile spoon. Beats trolling all to pieces for fun. Keep one fish in the water and a school will stay with you until you have caught them all or quit with a limit.

 

[GeoRXT]

Re: Dolphin (Mahi Mahi) fishing in So. FL?

Had zero luck Saturday, but mainly because my gps took a crap. Got a new one so I'm hoping for next Saturday...

 

[RickV1955]

Re: Dolphin (Mahi Mahi) fishing in So. FL?

Hey Rick and Sam......

How far out in the Gulf did you have to go to catch Dophins??

Thinking it has to be out a ways??

 

[JB]

Re: Dolphin (Mahi Mahi) fishing in So. FL?

Depends on where the Gulf Stream is.

I sometimes found blue water less than a mile off Lighthouse Point and sometimes I had to go 8 to 10 miles out to find it. Mahi mahi are in blue water, usually under floating weedlines or other flotsam.

I have been known to spread the sunday paper on the sea and wait. If weeds are scarce it often works. I always picked up the paper before I went in.

 

[roger777]

Re: Dolphin (Mahi Mahi) fishing in So. FL?

I am going to be targeting Dolphin on my next few trips. I live in Homestead FL. I need to know some good spots for it and what I should use to lure them in

I need to know everything as I am new at this, from what size hook I need for decently sized fish to bait and technique. All suggestions appreciated.

I have a 50lb line and appropriate rod and reel for it...And I have blocks of frozen chum...

I was out saturday and got 2 30lb bulls.. I am up here in PSL.. There are not as many weed lines up here but down south there are alot more weed lines. Any debris or cover is the key. Up here i try to find the west wall of the gulfstream(usually holds the most weeds)and start there. up here it is about 10 miles offshore.. My favorite color for mahi is pink and white. When they are hungry they will eat a pretzel rod.Like everyone is saying keep one over the side.. have some cut bait on hand (throw some overboard)to get them stirred up. I am heading to the keys this weekend for bartenders bash which i am going to bring my speargun and snorkel gear and hit the weeds..

 

[GeoRXT]

Re: Dolphin (Mahi Mahi) fishing in So. FL?

I would have been happy with just ONE 30lb bull! lol

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: Dolphin (Mahi Mahi) fishing in So. FL?

Depends on where the Gulf Stream is.

I sometimes found blue water less than a mile off Lighthouse Point and sometimes I had to go 8 to 10 miles out to find it. Mahi mahi are in blue water, usually under floating weedlines or other flotsam.

I have been known to spread the sunday paper on the sea and wait. If weeds are scarce it often works. I always picked up the paper before I went in.

yep...guides in the pangas in Cabo have been known to take cardboard out in the morning and come back to them and find fish...but they leave of floating of course...

 

[triumphrick]

Re: Dolphin (Mahi Mahi) fishing in So. FL?

Hey Rick and Sam......

How far out in the Gulf did you have to go to catch Dophins??

Thinking it has to be out a ways??

I have yet to catch one on this coast, especially this far up..what about you Sam??

 

[capt sam]

Re: Dolphin (Mahi Mahi) fishing in So. FL?

you can get them here but you have to be way out, the shelf is pretty expansive here so the water doesn't get deep enough, I've also seen sails here. All my dolphin fishing has been in the Keys, which is where I'm going next week for some, this is one of the best months to dolphin fish down there.

 

[GeoRXT]

Re: Dolphin (Mahi Mahi) fishing in So. FL?

You have any gps coordinates you want to share? Or is it a known reef or hump?

 

[capt sam]

Re: Dolphin (Mahi Mahi) fishing in So. FL?

we have areas but mostly it's a water depth, birds and floating debris kinda fishing, like JB mentioned it's all about the Gulfstream.

 

[Robs88]

Re: Dolphin (Mahi Mahi) fishing in So. FL?

Look for weed lines, or frigit birds, they usually hang out anywhere from 250-800ft of water here in miami, you can also catch them trolling on a naked ballyhoo or a pink and blue skurted ballyhoo. My favorite tecnique is running and gunning live sardines.

 

[SoFloStone]

Re: Dolphin (Mahi Mahi) fishing in So. FL?

Right now the Dolphin are scholling in the blue water at 700-900 foot depth, or 10 miles out of Port Everglades cut.

I mainly troll C&H lures with squid hanging off the back, and have had good results.

JB is spot on, you want the blue water and floating debris, and you HAVE to get out early in the morning. On the water by 5am and your usually done by 10am or noon at the latest.

Good luck...

Rick

 

[sunburnt]

Re: Dolphin (Mahi Mahi) fishing in So. FL?

the recent south wind and storms, help to bring the dolphin in closer to shore/ possibly just outside the reef line which is 5-7 miles out depending where you launch. don't forget to have a rig ready for cut bait or shrimp,for
the triple tail= better tasting than mahi . of course that's just an opinion ! but is a fact.. the humps which ride the the keys is a pretty good run! almost 20-25 miles. at least a 20 footer /check the weather continuously in the afternoon. storms travel avg. 15-20mph. so does a boat! but not in the 6 foot seas- the storms create. run and gun if you have the fuel. you're sure to find them! skirted and naked large hoos in your trolling spread. had a lot of luck with blue and white skirts. at the wall , with that type of bait /catch . watch for blues and sails they also love to eat dolphin.

 

[dontask]

Re: Dolphin (Mahi Mahi) fishing in So. FL?

Wouldn't 30 lbs test line be enough for dolphin fishing? My 2 TLD Shimanos were wound with 30lb test and I never had an issue with any Dolphin, out of the Port of Everglades. Also after going on one of the best Dolphin fishing trips ever out of Miami on a charter yacht we landed 80 dolphin in 1.5 hours fishing time using Penn Slammers with no more than 30 pound test. The dolphin ranged from 12 to 25 pounds----no broken lines.