How to catch Mahi-Mahi (Dorado)

Coryphaena hippurus

Also known as dorado, dolphinfish.

Mahi-mahi are among the most beautiful and fastest-growing gamefish in the ocean, found around floating debris and weed lines and famous for acrobatic fights.

🏆 World record: 87 lb IGFA all-tackle, Gulf of Papagayo, Costa Rica (1976). IGFA all-tackle world record dorado, also known as mahi-mahi, 87 pounds caught in the Gulf of Papagayo, Costa Rica in 1976. This long standing IGFA record can change, so check igfa.org. All records →

Where to find them

Offshore blue water, weed lines, and floating structure

Season

Warm months; year-round in the tropics

Best baits & lures for Mahi-Mahi (Dorado)

trolled ballyhoolureslive baitbucktails

Troll weed lines and debris, then pitch baits to the school once you hook one - mahi travel in packs.

Timing matters as much as tackle. Baitful reads the tide stage, pressure trend, solunar windows and weather at your spot and scores the bite, so you fish Mahi-Mahi (Dorado) when conditions line up.

Ways to catch Mahi-Mahi (Dorado)

Offshore trolling

Catch to table: Mahi-Mahi (Dorado)

Also called dolphinfish or dorado, a superb and versatile offshore table fish. Keep legal fish and enjoy the firm, mild fillets.

Taste: Firm, mild, and slightly sweet with large flakes and a lean texture. Takes marinades and bold seasonings well.

Cleaning: Fillet and skin the tough hide, then trim the dark red bloodline running along each fillet for a milder taste.

How to cook it

• Grill fillets with a citrus or teriyaki glaze.
• Blacken or sear for fish tacos.
• Pan-sear and top with a fresh mango or pineapple salsa.

Tip: Bleed and ice immediately; trim the bloodline before cooking to keep the flavor clean and mild.

Ikejime this fish for firmer, cleaner-tasting fillets and longer shelf life.

Where to catch Mahi-Mahi (Dorado)

Outer Banks, North Carolina Miami, Florida Florida Keys, Florida Destin, Florida Sosúa, Dominican Republic Punta Cana, Dominican Republic Cancún, Mexico Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Costa del Sol, Spain Phuket, Thailand Okinawa, Japan Barnegat Light, New Jersey Cape May, New Jersey Ocean City, Maryland Virginia Beach, Virginia Fort Lauderdale, Florida Islamorada, Florida Key West, Florida Morehead City, North Carolina Stuart, Florida Orange Beach, Alabama Panama City Beach, Florida Pensacola, Florida South Padre Island, Texas Venice, Louisiana Honolulu, Hawaii Kona, Hawaii Maalaea, Maui Bimini, Bahamas Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands Marsh Harbour, Abaco Nassau, Bahamas Oranjestad, Aruba Providenciales, Turks and Caicos San Juan, Puerto Rico St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands Cabo San Lucas, Mexico Cozumel, Mexico Isla Mujeres, Mexico Mazatlán, Mexico Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Iztapa, Guatemala Piñas Bay, Panama Quepos, Costa Rica Tamarindo, Costa Rica Salinas, Ecuador San Cristóbal, Galápagos Gran Canaria, Canary Islands Horta, Azores Madeira, Portugal Malta Sicily, Italy Split, Croatia Durban, South Africa Watamu, Kenya Zanzibar, Tanzania Black River, Mauritius Mahé, Seychelles Malé, Maldives Nosy Be, Madagascar Bali, Indonesia Mirissa, Sri Lanka Denarau, Fiji Exmouth, Western Australia Gold Coast, Queensland Port Douglas, Queensland Port Vila, Vanuatu Tahiti, French Polynesia

Book a Mahi-Mahi (Dorado) charter

Guides and charter boats that target Mahi-Mahi (Dorado), by destination:

the Outer Banks charters Miami charters the Florida Keys charters Destin charters Sosúa charters Punta Cana charters Cancún charters Rio de Janeiro charters

Catching Mahi-Mahi (Dorado): FAQ

What's the best bait for Mahi-Mahi (Dorado)?

Proven options include trolled ballyhoo, lures, live bait, bucktails. Troll weed lines and debris, then pitch baits to the school once you hook one - mahi travel in packs.

When is the best time to catch Mahi-Mahi (Dorado)?

Warm months; year-round in the tropics. Day to day, moving water and low-light periods around dawn and dusk usually fish best.

Where do you find Mahi-Mahi (Dorado)?

Look for Offshore blue water, weed lines, and floating structure. Anglers target them at spots like the Outer Banks, Miami, the Florida Keys.

Anglers also target

Wahoo Blue Marlin Yellowfin Tuna Sailfish Barracuda

Time your next Mahi-Mahi (Dorado) trip

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