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Guides
Nov 23, 2025
Mahi-Mahi Fishing in Islamorada: Best Months, Tactics & Daily Catch Limits
Your guide to mahi season in the Florida Keys. Learn the best months, tactics, and daily catch limits for dolphin fishing in Islamorada.
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If you’re dreaming of bright green and gold mahi darting under weedlines and piling into the spread, you’re in the right place. Islamorada is one of the best places on the planet for dolphin fishing, and when the season hits, the action can be nonstop.
Here’s your complete guide to mahi season in the Florida Keys—when they show up, how we catch them, and what you need to know about daily limits.
When Is Mahi Season in the Florida Keys?
Mahi (also called dolphin or dorado) are in the Keys April through September, with peak fishing from May through July.
Month-by-month snapshot:
- April: Early arrivals show up offshore around birds, slicks, and scattered weed.
- May: Big schools + consistent action. One of the best mahi months of the year.
- June: Peak season—steady numbers, great weather, lots of lifters and gaffers.
- July: Still excellent, though fish push farther offshore as water heats up.
- August–September: Fishable, but more scattered. Best around debris, rips, or strong weedlines.
Outside of summer, mahi can still surprise you, but the big pushes happen during the warm-water months.
Where We Find Mahi Offshore
In Islamorada, mahi fishing usually means running offshore to:
- Weedlines
- Rips and color changes
- Floating debris
- Birds (frigates, terns, shearwaters)
- The 409, Islamorada Hump & deeper edges (especially for big bulls and cows)
The magic zone is often between 600–1,000+ feet, but during peak season, mahi can be anywhere from 8–20 miles offshore depending on the water.
Captain-Approved Mahi Fishing Tactics
1. Trolling for the School
The most common approach is covering ground until you find life:
- Small skirted ballyhoo
- Chuggers
- Feathers
- Jet heads
Once you hook the first fish, leave it in the water to keep the school nearby.
2. Pitch Baits
As the rest of the school shows up, we switch to:
- Chunks of ballyhoo
- Live pilchards or cigar minnows
- Cut bonito
This is where the chaos happens—multiple fish hooked at once.
3. Casting to Frigates
If a frigate bird is locked onto a single fish, it’s usually a bull or cow.
We’ll:
- Pull ahead of the bird
- Keep a pitch rod ready
- Toss a live bait or chunk
- Hang on
4. Debris = Dinner
Mahi swarm anything that floats:
- Bamboo
- Pallets
- Logs
- Rope
- Weed mats
These spots often hold larger fish and mixed species (tripletail, wahoo, jacks).
5. Keep the School Around
To stay tight on the fish:
- Don’t kill the engines
- Keep the hooked fish in the water
- Slow-feed chunks
- Avoid yelling or too much commotion
- Maintain steady movement, not a dead boat drift
Size & Daily Catch Limits for Mahi in Florida
Florida regs change periodically, but currently:
Recreational Daily Limit (Atlantic Waters):
- 5 mahi per angler
- Maximum of 30 per vessel
Minimum Size:
- 20” fork length
Important Notes:
- Many captains voluntarily keep fewer to promote sustainable fishing.
- Regulations may update—always check FWC guidelines before heading out.
- For charter trips, your captain will handle compliance and measurement.
What Makes Islamorada Mahi Fishing Special?
A few reasons our fishery stands out:
- Consistent warm-water currents
- Massive amounts of natural structure (weed, rips, debris)
- Quick runs to deep water
- A strong, reliable summer migration
- Some of the best captains and crews on the planet targeting them daily
When mahi season is “on,” it’s one of the most fun and visual fisheries in the Keys.
Planning a Mahi Trip
Best months: May–July
Best weather: Light east/southeast wind
Best tactic: Troll to find the school → pitch baits to keep them close
Best for: Families, groups, and anyone who wants fast action and beautiful fish
Whether you’re chasing a single trophy bull or want a cooler full of fresh dolphin, mahi season in Islamorada is something every angler should experience at least once.
