OFFSHORE FISHING: Mahi-Mahi Prize Catch For Most Anglers, Can Reach 50 to 80 Pounds
By Capt. Joe Palermo // April 17, 2016
also known as a Dorado or Dolphin
Mahi-Mahi Features Colorful Look, Acrobatic Fight and Excellent Table Fare
BREVARD COUNTY • PORT CANAVERAL, FLORIDA – The East Coast of Florida is known for some of the best blue water fishing the Atlantic Ocean has to offer.
As we are slowly creeping out of the windy and cold winter months, many anglers are gearing up to cure their cabin fever with warm weather, calm seas, and exceptional mahi-mahi fishing.
With a colorful look, acrobatic fight, and excellent table fare, Mahi-Mahi, also known as a Dorado or Dolphin, is considered a prize catch to most anglers.
Although these fish can be finicky at times, they have a very healthy appetite and grow much faster than most pelagics. In as little as five years, the Mahi-Mahi can reach sizes of 50 to 80 pounds.
These fish are sometimes such vicious eaters that they will often eat each other. However, like all fish, sometimes it takes a few tricks to get them in the mood to eat a bait.
TROLLING POPULAR TECHNIQUE
Mahi-Mahi are normally attracted to floating debris, which over time, will collect baitfish, crabs, and other small marine life. The most common debris found offshore of Florida includes logs, pallets, buckets, or sargassum weeds.
It is important that the debris has been floating long enough to create it’s own micro-ecosystem, which produces a food chain from small copods to large pelagics.
Once an object or weed line has been located, there are a few different techniques anglers can use to yield good catches.
The most popular technique to catch Mahi-Mahi is trolling ballyhoo or strip baits behind a colorful skirt. This gives anglers the advantage of covering a lot of ground while in search of weed lines and other floating debris.
If floating structures are few and far between, this method is excellent for catching fish “out in the open.”
The other popular method is to “run and gun,” which involves running until floating structure is found, then creating a chum line under or near the debris to lure the fish up and start a feeding frenzy.
This allows anglers to present cut bait, which is rarely turned down by these furious eaters.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Capt. Joe Palermo is a native to the area, and has spent most of his life chasing anything that has fins.
At the age of 15, he began my professional career as a mate on a well-respected charter boat out of Port Canaveral. Capt. Palermo received his U.S. Coast Guard approved Captain’s license three years later and began to run charters. He has gained vast experience and knowledge through his years of charter and pleasure fishing, and have been very successful in numerous exciting tournaments.
Throughout these years, Capt. Palermo developed his own techniques and tricks to give his chartered anglers the edge to bring home their desired prize. With the Sea Wrangler’s advantages of speed, comfort, and hardcore fishing attitude, he have the tools to compliment my experience and give you the best fishing experience the Atlantic has to offer. Sea Wrangler charters ensure friendly and courteous service. Aside from my passion for fishing, Capt. Palermo’s greatest reward is the satisfaction of an angler who has conquered a trophy fish.
To book a charter or for more information about the Sea Wrangler log on to Sea-Wrangler.com or call 321-863-6026.
