Mahi: Meet Florida’s Favorite Fish — Timoti's (2024)

FAQs

Mahi: Meet Florida’s Favorite Fish — Timoti's? ›

Bright blue, green and yellow in color, this Florida fish has a long body with a short, distinct face. Mahi is very valuable with fishing (both industry and sport) and fishermen often try to catch this fish by taking advantage of their attraction to floating objects.

The biggest fish are usually caught off northeast Florida, my personal favorite place to target pelagic species in the spring and fall. You can't miss mahi mahi fishing out of Port Canaveral, St. Augustine and Jacksonville Beach, or out of Amelia Island.

Mahi mahi are top predators that feed in surface water during the day. They eat a wide variety of species, including small pelagic fish, juvenile tuna, invertebrates, billfish, jacks, pompano, and pelagic larvae of nearshore, bottom-living species.

When's The Best Time to Catch Mahi Mahi? Along the Gulf Coast and South Atlantic, the best time for mahi-mahi is from April through June. Mahi-mahi have strong numbers throughout the summer but these fish can also be caught year-round.

Taste and Flavor

Its taste is often likened to that of Chilean sea bass and mahi-mahi, but Cobia has a unique, richer taste, making it the go-to fish choice for chefs looking to add signature items to their menu without expanding their food orders.

Also known as Dolphin Fish, Mahi Mahi is another really mild fish that tastes a bit like Grouper but is usually cheaper on restaurant menus. It's got a lean, firm texture and holds together well, meaning it can easily stand up to being grilled or fried without falling apart.

For live or dead bait, ballyhoo and squid are popular choices for mahi mahi fishing, but really any cut or live bait fish should do the job. As far as lures go, specific mahi mahi lures are always a solid choice. Artificial squid is another excellent option, especially when used with daisy chains and spreader bars.

They are mostly found in waters over 150' though are frequently caught in both shallower and deeper waters. Since they are mostly cruising close to the surface there are many things as anglers that we can be on the lookout for when we are fishing for Mahi Mahi.

Avoid imported mahi mahi caught with drifting longlines or purse seine with FADs because bycatch impacts are significant, and management is ineffective.

What is the size limit for mahi mahi in Florida? ›

Florida Atlantic Coast Mahi Mahi Limits

To harvest mahi mahi on the Atlantic side of Florida, they must be over 20” long. The daily bag limit is 10 fish per person or 60 fish per vessel, whichever is less.

Mahi-mahi are swift and acrobatic game fish with striking colours. These colours darken when the fish dies (see illustrations) The current IGFA all tackle record is 39.91 kilograms (88lb), caught in 1998 in Exuma, Bahamas by Chris Johnson of Lake Mary, Florida.

All mahi can reproduce by three to five months of age or 22 inches in length. At one year, most exceed 20 pounds. Three-year-olds usually exceed 30 pounds.

Mahi Mahi fishing is hot all through the summer until around September, with species lurking around 20 miles offshore. Stuart: This city is located along Florida's Treasure Coast and, boy, is it a Mahi fishing gem.

Snapper is slightly sweeter and the meat more delicate, especially when grilled, than Grouper. Most compare its flavor and texture to be similar to that of halibut or sea bass. Grouper on the other hand is milder or more subtle in flavor making it perfect for absorbing either dressings or marinades.

Pompano: The most expensive fish you can catch from the beach in Florida.

It shares a similar texture to halibut, with a firm and flaky consistency. Grouper's mild taste allows it to absorb flavors and seasonings well, making it versatile in various recipes that typically call for halibut. By comparison, grouper holds more moisture than halibut, which can dry out quickly if overcooked.