Mahi tips for Newbie

Saltwater Offshore Discussion
1

I have recently been given the “challenge” by my daughter to figure out trolling for mahi. From reading posts in the past, I know that May is a good time to try it. Any tips or advice? I live in the upstate so I need all the advantage I can get and make the most of my time.

Jay
Bulls Bay 230cc Yamahaf200
Alumacraft 1860 Yamahaf90
War Eagle 1432 Tohatsu20

2

Jay, welcome to the wonderful world of chasing mahi. A few things I would recommend to speed up your learning curve and increase safety:

  1. Find a buddy boat for your first few trips if at all possible. It can be a long ride to Mahi grounds and a lot of things can go wrong. Having a buddy boat will increase your safety and, if that person is experienced, will prevent you from having to start from scratch.
  2. Make sure you have safety equipment – VHF, EPIRB, life jackets, etc.
  3. Rigging ballyhoo is not hard but there is a learning curve with that too. Consider buying some pre-rigged hoo from Baitmasters or similar.
  4. There is a lot of ocean out there. It might be wise to invest in a Roffer’s Report for your first few trips to learn where the temperature breaks are likely to be.
  5. May is a great mahi month but they tend to be farther out – like 50 miles or more. If you wait until later in the season, you are more likely to find them closer to shore.
  6. Read tips 1 and 2 again. As long as you stay safe, you will have fun.

Best of luck.

3

You can find buddy boats or people to go with you on this site in the fishing match up category. Also just watch the offshore reports a lot of people will tell you tempature of water, water depth and what colors they were biting on.

4

Start here:
https://marine.rutgers.edu/cool/sat_data/?product=sst&region=georgia&nothumbs=0

Find warm water and weed and work it till you get lucky.

It’s a long way so be prepared for any problems… catching fish being the least.

5

You have to go to Hawaii and the pacific islands to catch Mahi, though you can buy it in restaurants . Closer for an exotic would be South and Latin America, you can catch dorado down there. Closest thing we have is a dolphin, not a mahi or dorado, a dolphin.

Mark
Southport 28TE
2X Yamaha F250
Yeah, but do you consider a dog to be a filthy animal? I wouldn’t go so far as to call a dog filthy but they’re definitely dirty. But, a dog’s got personality. Personality goes a long way.

“Life’s tough…It’s even tougher if you’re stupid” John Wayne

6
quote:
Originally posted by saltydog235

You have to go to Hawaii and the pacific islands to catch Mahi, though you can buy it in restaurants . Closer for an exotic would be South and Latin America, you can catch dorado down there. Closest thing we have is a dolphin, not a mahi or dorado, a dolphin.

Mark
Southport 28TE
2X Yamaha F250
Yeah, but do you consider a dog to be a filthy animal? I wouldn’t go so far as to call a dog filthy but they’re definitely dirty. But, a dog’s got personality. Personality goes a long way.

“Life’s tough…It’s even tougher if you’re stupid” John Wayne

Don’t mind this guy; he’s mean to newbies, as well as regulars, but he’s actually pretty cool…:wink:

Two words to shorten your learning curve:

  1. White

  2. Braid

“I’m not a hundred percent in love with your tone right now…”

7
quote:
Originally posted by Black Bart

Two words to shorten your learning curve:

  1. White

  2. Braid

dang, that’s just mean…:wink:

The Morris Island Lighthouse www.savethelight.org

8

Inlaw thanks for the safety check. I have all of that in-place but you can never be too safe and you have to know your limitations, as well. Mdaddy that clears up several questions. I didnt know if I was looking for a certain type of bottom (wrecks/ reefs) in a temp range or just for temp. Also, is there a temp range that DOLPHIN(saltydog235) prefer?

Jay
Bulls Bay 230cc Yamahaf200
Alumacraft 1860 Yamahaf90
War Eagle 1432 Tohatsu20

9

Jpat I’m doing the learning this year too. Maybe we can buddy boat up sometime. Let me know when you come down this way. We usually launch out of Remleys.

2018 Sea Fox 226 Commander

10

Don’t let these guys bug you too much. I caught Dolphin on my first trip trying. Get some nice pin rigs like Ed Keelin’s and watch Youtube videos on how to rig them. Artificial will work but meat is best, IMO. The buddy boat is very good advice as well as the safety gear.

2016 Southport 272 w/ Yam. 200’s
2016 Sea Hunt Ultra 225 w/Yam. 200 (sold)
2008 Carolina Skiff 17DLX w/2015 Yam. 70

11

Thanks V-Dog. The Keelin rigs look good.

Jay
Bulls Bay 230cc Yamahaf200
Alumacraft 1860 Yamahaf90
War Eagle 1432 Tohatsu20

12

[/quote]

Don’t mind this guy; he’s mean to newbies, as well as regulars, but he’s actually pretty cool…:wink:

Two words to shorten your learning curve:

  1. White

  2. Braid

“I’m not a hundred percent in love with your tone right now…”
[/quote]

LMFAO!

“mr keys”

13

Head 150 deg to 140’ water look for weed, put out lines and putt,putt!

14
quote:
Originally posted by northchucky

Don’t mind this guy; he’s mean to newbies, as well as regulars, but he’s actually pretty cool…:wink:

Two words to shorten your learning curve:

  1. White

  2. Braid

“I’m not a hundred percent in love with your tone right now…”
[/quote]

LMFAO!

“mr keys”
[/quote]

This is solid advice. It is invisible to fish when the look up at your spread.

15
quote:
Originally posted by interceptor4
quote:
Originally posted by northchucky

Don’t mind this guy; he’s mean to newbies, as well as regulars, but he’s actually pretty cool…:wink:

Two words to shorten your learning curve:

  1. White

  2. Braid

“I’m not a hundred percent in love with your tone right now…”

LMFAO!

“mr keys”
[/quote]

This is solid advice. It is invisible to fish when the look up at your spread.
[/quote]

“mr keys”

16

JPatt,

We have a Ballyhoo Rigging and Bluewater Basics Seminar coming up on May 1. Based on the catch down South it might be good timing.

Lots of good direction above. Stop by either of our locations and we’ll be glad to help you.

Simon O

17

JPatt, if you can’t make Haddrells seminar, this may help.

http://www.bluewaterhowto.com/?p=782

18

I encourage the use of the term Mahi. I’m sick of explaining to people I’m not murdering Flipper.

19
quote:
Originally posted by Redstripe

I encourage the use of the term Mahi. I’m sick of explaining to people I’m not murdering Flipper.

Nah, I don’t mind pissing ignorant people off.

Mark
Southport 28TE
2X Yamaha F250
Yeah, but do you consider a dog to be a filthy animal? I wouldn’t go so far as to call a dog filthy but they’re definitely dirty. But, a dog’s got personality. Personality goes a long way.

“Life’s tough…It’s even tougher if you’re stupid” John Wayne

20
  1. Go by Local Tackle Store … I know some items are cheaper online but service and advice are priceless! Support Locals
  2. Buy a Maps Unique Map … For all … New Map Just Released!
  3. Ballyhoo Springs … Makes rigging a ballyhoo simple (see #1)
  4. Most Important in early run … Buy a Roffers Offshore Report. To catch a Fish you have to find the fish! Call them … They will talk to you about what they are seeing.
  5. Go Fishing … This is the hardest for everybody!

36 Contender Fisharound
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