Mahi-Mahi Size, Range & Diet

Sizes are typical rod-and-reel and documented maximum figures, not size limits — see the regulations links below for the rules where you fish.

How to Identify a Mahi-Mahi

• Brilliant green-gold-blue body with iridescent flanks
• Forehead steep and near-vertical in mature bulls (males), rounded in females
• Single long dorsal fin running from just behind the head nearly to the tail
• Body laterally compressed; deeply forked yellow/gold tail
• Vivid colors fade fast to grey-yellow out of the water

Tell it apart: The single full-length dorsal fin running head to tail over a thin, deep, glowing green-gold body is unique - no other Hawaiian pelagic has that continuous dorsal.

How to Catch Mahi-Mahi

Gear links open Amazon searches. As an Amazon Associate, The Fishing Report earns from qualifying purchases — at no extra cost to you. Using these links helps keep the site ad-free.

• Best March-April; troll skirted lures and ballyhoo-style baits along weed lines and floating debris, then pitch jigs and plugs once a school is raised.GearSkirted trolling luresPitch bait jigsOffshore spinning combo
• Late spring into summer — hunt weed lines, color changes and birds 30–60 mi out, then pitch ballyhoo or jigs to the school.GearTrolling skirt lures6/0 circle hooksOffshore spinning combo
• Peaks late spring through summer; troll ballyhoo and skirted lures along weedlines and color changes, then pitch baits to the school.GearSkirted trolling luresBallyhoo rigging kitOffshore trolling combo
• Peaks late spring through summer; troll ballyhoo and skirts along weedlines and rig lines, then pitch baits to the school.GearSkirted trolling luresBallyhoo rigging kitOffshore trolling combo
• Best June-August - troll skirted ballyhoo near lobster pots and weedlines, then pitch bucktails or cut bait to the schooling fish.GearSkirted trolling luresBallyhoo rigsCasting bucktails
• Best July-August - troll skirted ballyhoo near lobster pot lines and weedlines, then pitch bucktails or cut bait to the schools.GearSkirted trolling luresBallyhoo rigsCasting bucktails
• Winter into spring is dorado season here, not summer — hunt weed lines, floating debris and working birds, then pitch ballyhoo or a bucktail and keep one hooked fish in the water to hold the school.GearTrolling skirt lures6/0 circle hooksOffshore spinning combo
• A warm-water summer visitor, June through August — pitch fly-lined baits and small swimbaits to fish holding under kelp paddies and floating debris.GearCasting swimbaitsLive-bait hooksFluorocarbon leader

When & Where Mahi-Mahi Are in Season

Mahi-Mahi Regulations

← All fish species