How to Catch Mahi Mahi; Tips From Salt Life’s Peter Miller
Commonly found in the Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico, Mahi Mahi is a colorful fish whose name means “very strong” in Hawaiian. Also referred to as dorado or dolphin fish, Mahi is fun to catch and delicious to eat. When it comes to catching Mahi, Salt Life is lucky to have a professional fisherman on our team, Peter Miller, to share his insider tips and tricks.
Peter has been fishing since the age of three. What began as saltwater fishing off the coast of Long Island turned into a passion and a career that landed him in Florida. In 1989, Peter and his friend Chris Toomey created “Get Lit,” a professional fishing team. For more than 30 years, this team has been winning and placing in high-profile fishing tournaments. If anyone knows how to catch Mahi - it’s Peter.
Lots of People
When it comes to fishing for Mahi, the more people on your boat, the better. The reason behind this is that more people mean more eyes on the water and looking for birds. On sunny days, it’s best to have a pair of Salt Life polarized sunglasses so you can easily spot fish in the water.
Another essential piece of equipment for a successful day catching Mahi Mahi is a pair of binoculars. Lots of people looking through binoculars give you a much better chance of spotting birds swooping down near the water - a sure sign of Mahi nearby.
Chum and Live Bait
Start your hunt for Mahi with two blocks of chum in a chum bag, lowered into the water off the back of your boat. This will attract bait fish like pilchards, threadfin herring, and sardines. Peter uses Sabiki rigs to catch multiple bait fish at once, and a dehooker to quickly get them into the bait well on the boat without touching them.
Start the Frenzy
After finding a location you think will be rewarding, Peter recommends using only one or two lures to start fishing for Mahi. He shares that these fish don’t travel alone, so hooking one Mahi will attract many more. With a Mahi on your line, leave it in the water close to the boat as a large, living lure.
Choose Equipment Carefully
As Mahi start to swim up to the boat, you will have to choose the right equipment for the fight. Smaller fish can be caught with bait on lighter J hooks and fishing lines, while larger Mahi will require heavier J hooks and lines if you want a chance at winning the fight and getting it into the boat. Peter’s expert tip: remember to always cast a long line into the wind.
Swinger or Gaffer
When it’s time to get the Mahi into the boat, it’s important to make a quick decision about whether you will swing the fish into the boat or use a gaff. Typically, a 3-6 pound fish can be swung into the boat using the inertia of the rod and line. A heavier fish than that is best brought in using a gaff.
Peter loves Mahi fishing because he feels it is an “incredible way to introduce people to sport fishing.” It can be a successful day catching Mahi with these tips and tricks, potentially getting you hooked on the sport! For awesome offshore fishing videos, head over to the Salt Life YouTube channel.