If you have ever been confused by what a mahi-mahi is, don’t worry you are certainly not alone. Mahi-mahi is a striking green gamefish that can be found in both tropical and subtropical waters. Mahi-mahi is the Hawaiian name for this fish, but it is also called Dorado in Spanish and dolphin in English. However, even being named after a mammal, the mahi-mahi is definitively a fish and nothing like a warm blooded, blow hole-having dolphin or porpoise. This pretty fish is an awesome catch when you are fishing on a boat.

Mahi is mostly eaten in the United States and around the Caribbean but have been growing in popularity in Europe and Australia. Catching mahi-mahi at first was accidently when people were fishing for tuna or swordfish. But due to their taste, they have become the main goal for many anglers. Who doesn’t want a trophy of this fish hanging in their homes for visitors to see? Mahi-mahi is a more relaxing fish to go for compared to other sportfish with the same delicious rewards. But where should you go fishing for them? Below is a list of the best place in the world to go on a vacation and catch mahi-mahi!

What is Mahi-Mahi 

You can find mahi-mahi around the world in waters of varying temperatures. They are mostly found in the Gulf of Mexico, off of Costa Rica, Hawaii, and in the Indian Ocean. While mahi-mahi is a common name and means strong in Hawaiian, this fish is also known as a dolphin in English and Dorado in Spanish, which means “gold”. But don’t be confused, this is definitely a fish with gills and not a mammal with a blow hole. The name dolphin came about due to its coloring fading to a dull grey when they die, and their tendency to breach and jump out of the water when fishing for prey. Mahi only have a lifespan of about four years, which is less than other sportfish, but they are the fastest growing and maturing fish of their caliber and size. They are known for their green, iridescent coloring with a blunt head and a forked tail. 

How to Fish for Mahi-Mahi

In order to fish for mahi-mahi, you need to first get on a boat. A charter boat will look out for debris near a reef’s edge, since this is where mahi like to hang out. It is best to go for these fish under the summer sun, where you can troll with lures rigged with frozen bait behind your boat. You will want to troll at about six knots an hour. Once you start to find a school of mahi-mahi, it is best to leave some fish off the lines. If a fish remains in the water, that will attract other, larger, mahi to your hooks. Mahi are surfaces feeders, which is why charter boats will be on the lookout for floating debris. You can actually watch the fish hit the hooks as they will make a bee line for the lure and bait that you are trolling behind you. When picking lures, the most popular ones to use are pink, white, red, or black in order to entice the fish to take a nibble. Once you have a mahi on your line, then you have to start the fight! You will not have the same reeling in experience that you would have with swordfish or tuna. Mahi don’t put up the same fight, but that doesn’t mean they are any less worthy or a good time! 

The Best Places to Catch Mahi-Mahi in the World 

Thankfully, catching mahi-mahi means that you can take a nice tropical vacation. Or you can stay closer to home and try your luck in your closest ocean. Once you learn the trips and tricks for finding these surface feeders, you will be reeling them in in no time!

Florida 

Florida is the most popular spot in the world to go fishing for mahi-mahi. In order to go fishing here, you will need to troll the waters with a lure and bait. Boat captains here know that they need to keep an eye out for small bait fish swimming above reefs, since that is where the dolphin will be. The fish here are responsive to dead bait, but sometimes show a preference to live bait. You will have the best luck if you go fishing in September and October off the East Coast of the state. The biggest mahi are caught off of northeastern Florida, but you can also find great fish down in the Keys. Because Florida is such a popular place to go fishing for these fish, many restaurants will clean and cook your catch for you!

Jamaica

If you want to mix a fun and exciting vacation with an equally exciting fishing trip, you should try fishing in the Caribbean Sea off of Jamaica for mahi! Not only will you have a great time reeling in a fish under the warm sun, but there are so many popular Jamaican recipes that use mahi-mahi, such as Caribbean jerk fish taco, fishbowls, or just grilled squares. The high season for catching mahi off of Jamaica is from March to May; the low season is December to July. There is no time of year that you cannot try your luck. 

Costa Rica 

Off the coast of Costa Rica, you will be using the same fishing techniques as fishing for the bigger game fish to reel in a top mahi fish. This means trolling and chumming bait in the water to bring in the big fish. Charter captains will rig up lines with a lot of colorful teasers and lures that will shine and sparkle in the water, catching the eyes of mahi far and wide. Unlike with other game fish though, these lures do not have to be nearly as heavy, and it won’t take you hours to reel in your trophy. What is fun about reeling in these fish is that are you start to reel them in, they will start to jump out of the water. You can go fishing for mahi-mahi on either coast, but you will have the most opportunities on the west coast of Costa Rica. 

California

You are able to fish for mahi-mahi off the coast of California in the Pacific Ocean year-round, but the availability is what varies. You will have your best bet fishing for mahi during the warm months of July and August. The low season is October to May, when the water is colder. 

Australia 

An increasingly popular fish to go for around Australia, boat captains will use longlines to catch mahi-mahi in these waters. The best place to try your luck at fishing for mahi-mahi in Australia is off of the East Coast of the country. However, this means that they are competing with the tuna that fishermen typically go in these waters for. When fishing in Australia waters, you do have to be careful to not hook mako sharks or sea turtles on the lines. Research has shown mahi fishing and the accidental catching of sharks and turtles isn’t running the latter’s populations. 

Mediterranean Sea

One of the best places to go fishing for mahi-mahi in the Mediterranean Sea is off of Croatia. Mahi aren’t native to the Mediterranean but have started to come into these waters as the Sea has become warmer over the years. Between Split and Dubrovnik, your patience will be rewarded by reeling in this brightly colored fish. It may take a couple of tries to find where these fish are, especially if you are fishing by wading in off the shore instead of on a boat. However, wading in means you will be able to fish for mahi while they are feeding on small sardines and mullet in the shallow areas. 

The Best Mahi-Mahi Recipe Suggestions

Mahi-mahi meat is known for having a sweet but mild flavor. This makes the meat very versatile. Many will simply grill the meat and have an extremely delicious meal. But you can also sear it with lime and some simple seasoning, or it can be made into fish tacos. Many restaurants will use this meat since it is very sustainable due to aquaculture farms. 

You will hold your breath the first time you see a mahi-mahi torpedo through the water as it is reeled up on your line. This yummy fish is definitely something you need to fish for on your next fishing vacation. No matter if you call them dorado, dolphin, or mahi-mahi, this is a great fish to catch that promises and even better dinner after!