Best Times & Seasons for Mahi Mahi in the Florida Keys

The Florida Keys are an excellent spot for fishing for Mahi Mahi. One of the most important tips for anglers looking for a prime catch is knowing the best time to fish. 

The best time to fish for mahi mahi (dolphin) in the Florida Keys is between mid-April through early September. The exact “hot time” will vary from island to island. The worst time of year will be December through February within the Florida Key waters.

In this article, you will learn the best seasons, times, and weather factors that impact dolphin fishing. Here are some of the best times to fish for Mahi Mahi in the Florida Keys.

Seasonal Breakdown for Mahi Mahi in the Florida Keys

Generally, if you’re looking to fish in the Florida Keys, you’ll want to look for mahi mahi from mid-spring to early autumn, ranging from April to September.

However, this isn’t set in stone. Make sure to research, as it’s crucial to know about the location you plan to fish, as prime months for each vary a bit. For a complete guide to the best mahi mahi fishing spots in Florida, please check out this helpful article. For a complete guide to the best mahi mahi fishing seasons in Florida, please check out this helpful article.

Big Pine Key

The availability of fish in Big Pine Key ranges a bit throughout the course of the year. If you’re looking for mahi mahi, the best months to find them are between April to June.

The periods you’re least likely to find many dolphin are January, February, August, September, November, and December.

However, you can try year-round as Big Pine Key does not have a closed season.

Key Largo

Mahi mahi availability in Key Largo has moderate variation as the months pass. If you’re looking for abundance, fishing within the months of April and August is best for dolphin. 

However, you’ll find much less during November and December. The remainder of the months will offer an average catch.

There is no closed season in Key Largo for ambitious anglers.

Key West

The high season for catching mahi mahi in Key West is between the months of April and June. On the contrary, you’ll find the least dolphin during the months of November to December.

However, due to the warm temperate waters surrounding Key West, you’ll likely be able to find something year-round. There’s also no closed season here, so you’re not legally limited at all.

Islamorada

Your chances of finding a good mahi mahi catch in Islamorada vary a bit throughout the year, with optimal months being May to August.

While you’re able to fish here year-round as there’s always some fish available and no closed season, you’ll find the least in January to February and November to December.

Marathon

Fishing for dolphin in Marathon is best done during the months of April to June. Meanwhile, the low seasons are January to February, August to September, and November to December.

There is no closed season, so you’re actually able to fish year-round without limitation.

Recommended Fishing Guides/Charters in the Florida Keys

These Florida Keys-based charters have earned great reviews from anglers and will offer you a great service. The captains are knowledgeable and professional and are sure to put you on fish. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charter’s respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate.

Recommended Fishing Charters	Location
Infinite Blue Charters	Marathon, FL
Off Course Charters	Key Largo, FL
Reel Easy Charters	Key West, FL
Good Times Key West	Key West, FL
Jolly Roger II	Key West, FL
Dauntless Fishing Charters	Islamorada, FL
Callion Fishing Charters	Marathon, FL
Kekoa Charters	Islamorada, FL
95FiveFishing Charters	Islamorada, FL
A2 Fishing Charters	Key Largo, FL
Katz Charters	Islamorada, FL
Captain Buddy LaPointe	Marathon, FL
Local Grown Charters	Key Largo, FL

Best Time of Day to Catch Mahi Mahi

Generally, dolphin feed during the day in the Florida Keys. The only exception is when the moon provides enough light for the fish to see their food clearly. 

Spring

In the early to late afternoon, the water will be warmed, allowing for the dolphin to engage in more activity, so these are optimal hours. An important tip is to fish downwind.

Summer

As the sun rises, warming the water, the mahi mahi will be more active, and the long daylight hours allow for fishing from morning to late afternoon. If the weather cools down, it’s essential to continue to tune up your reels so that you’ll be able to continue to fish.

Fall

In the fall, consider fishing when the sun is directly overhead compared to the water for hours at a time, allowing for it to warm. As the mahi mahi gain weight for the winter, this is an excellent time for fishing.

Winter

While the weather doesn’t get too cold in the keys, you’ll still want to consider the best strategies for the winter months. The best time to fish during the colder months is between 10 AM and 4 PM. You can go a little bit later, but it’s important to remember that there is less daylight in the fall and winter months.

I recommend this Penn Pursuit Spinning Rod & Reel combo (available on Amazon) for inshore and nearshore fishing. It can handle everything from redfish to snapper and king mackerel. The Penn Battalion Series Spinning Rod and the Penn Battle Spinning Reel are fantastic to create your combo.

Distance From Shore to Catch Mahi Mahi

If you’re looking to fish for mahi mahi in the Florida Keys, you luckily won’t need to travel very far to catch them. When waters are cooler, dolphin fish are more likely to be closer to shore and you’ll be able to fish between 3-4 miles offshore.

As the weather warms up, you may need to travel a bit farther, such as 10-12 miles offshore for a catch.

How to Catch Mahi Mahi in the Florida Keys

Know Where to Look

There are some spots in the Florida Keys that you’re very likely to find dolphin. These are some of the spots to look out for.

Weedlines

Weedlines are the main thing you’ll want to look for, which is great as they’re the easiest to spot in the water. Weedline is a floating patch of vegetation in a body of water.

They can be pretty large, extending for miles in the water. The type you’ll want to keep an eye out for is seaweed, particularly a type called Sargassum.

Sargassum is generally an orangey-brown or dark green color and will come together offshore and form a weedline in the water. Look for the most defined patches. These are the best for a good catch as they’re what mahi mahi likes to inhabit the most and much easier to troll.

If you want to learn what are the best fighting fish to catch to include saltwater and freshwater, please check out this helpful article I wrote.

Structures

If you see something random that looks like junk in the water, you may not want to disregard it completely. Many types of fish, including mahi mahi, like to inhabit pieces of various types of material floating in the water. 

The word “structure” is being used very vaguely in this sense as there isn’t much criteria for what it might be. You may find mahi mahi anywhere from floating pieces of wood, trash, buoys, and anywhere else.

Therefore, you’ll want to inspect anything and everything you come across as it can prove to be extremely worthwhile to devote a little bit of time to a good search.

Look for Birds

If you’re someone that likes to fish or simply relax by a body of water, you’ve likely had experiences of seeing birds flying above the water as if they’re searching for something or finding food. If you see birds doing this, chances are they have set sights on bait that is in the water.

If birds are seeing a decent amount of bait, chances are dolphin and other types of fish are in the waters. So if you see the birds, look in that area to determine if that’s the reason they’re circling.

Fight the Fish

Many experienced anglers testify that dolphin are a tough fish to catch. One of the best parts of fishing for many is the challenge that comes with it. If that’s something you’re looking for, mahi mahi is your type of catch.

You’ll find that during the peak of mahi mahi season, which is between April and September, the warmer water makes for stronger dolphin. These fish are at their peak fitness and will provide a much stronger fight than during colder months,

If you’re fishing from a boat, you’ll want to put it into neutral and immediately put power into catching the fish. It’ll be significantly easier if you’re accompanied on your boat, as any other people can bring in the other lines. 

One of the most interesting things about this fish is their ability to go airborne and put on a show, and they may incorporate this in their battle against you, so it’s important to be prepared.

A major plus for the aggressive and bold nature of this fish is that when you have one on your line, many others will follow. This is an excellent opportunity to potentially catch many other mahi mahi if you’re not too worn out from the first catch.

Is Night Fishing for Dolphin in the Keys Any Good?

Night fishing for dolphin can be decent in the Florida Keys. However, it’s essential to monitor the moon.

Mahi mahi will feed throughout the night when it is a full moon or close to a full moon. Therefore, you likely won’t find much during the day in these moon stages as they prefer to eat during the night when the moon is very bright.

Avoid taking a trip to fish for dolphin during the middle of the day following a night with a bright moon. This will likely result in a disappointing catch. Therefore, you’ll want to fish between the hours of 5 and 8 in the morning and 4 PM and later.

Impacts Storms & Hurricanes Have on Mahi Mahi Fishing

Storms and hurricanes can have both positive and negative effects on your ability to fish for mahi mahi at the Florida Keys.

A significant plus for daring anglers is that it’s theorized that fish can detect changes and pressure due to an upcoming storm as they quickly go into feeding frenzies.

Therefore, they’ll be quick to bite your bait. However, keep in mind that you should generally evacuate prior to a storm, and fishing in these conditions can be dangerous.

Additionally, if you’re looking to fish near the store after a large storm has passed, it’ll be challenging to find dolphin as the resulting cloudiness may make it difficult for fish to view the bait. Therefore, you’ll want to limit your fishing to off-shore, as your visibility is less likely to be reduced.

Is Mahi Mahi Good Eating From the Florida Keys?

If you’re putting lots of effort into catching fish, you may be wondering if you’ll be able to safely eat it afterward. Well, when you catch mahi mahi from the Keys, it’s actually beneficial to eat it. 

Aside from being delicious, this fish is an excellent way to get healthy proteins, vitamin B12, selenium, and phosphorus.

The Florida Keys vs. The Rest of Florida

We’ve gone over a lot about the Keys, so you may be wondering if there are any other places that are superior in Florida for mahi mahi. The answer is no.

The Keys, regardless of which one you pick, are paradise for anglers everywhere. One visit is enough to show you why they’re so revered by fishermen. The Keys are entirely surrounded by amazing waters full of game fish, including mahi mahi.  

Even if you’re not looking for mahi mahi, and instead opting to fish for other gamefish, this is an incredible shot to choose from.

The Keys are great for backcountry fishing for bonefish, snook, tarpon, and other types of fish. The deep-sea fishing is fulfilling as well, as The Keys boast spots specifically for this, such as Marathon Humps.

And there are dozens of other fish species to find all over, regardless of what your fishing technique is and what time of year you go. No matter what, you’ll be able to find something as the Keys has incredible versatility when it comes to fishing spots.

Ultimately, you won’t be disappointed with what you find here.

Recap

Overall, the Florida Keys are a great spot for fishing in general, as well as if you’re looking for mahi mahi in particular.

These islands offer great waters, and the weather is great basically year-round. For the best catch, you’ll want to know which time is optimal for the location you’re looking to visit, however, the abundance of fish means you have a chance at catching some no matter when and where you go!

This article was a part to the Best Times to Fish the Florida Keys series. Click the link to read the complete guide which includes other species like tuna, marlin, redfish, tarpon, and wahoo, along with mahi mahi. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Key Largo, please check out this helpful article. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Islamorada, please check out this helpful guide.