Best Times & Seasons to Catch Mahi-Mahi in North Carolina

Mahi-mahi is one of the main fish species found in North Carolina waters. Knowing the best times and seasons to target mahi-mahi in North Carolina helps anglers have a better experience during their fishing trips. 

The best times to catch mahi-mahi in North Carolina are from May to August. Mahi-mahi fishing improves when water temperatures rise.

North Carolina is famous for its world-class mahi-mahi fishing. Mahi-mahi can be found in areas where depths are 120 feet. Oftentimes, anglers should go 60 miles in offshore waters to get to the most productive mahi-mahi fishing spots in North Carolina. Mahi-mahi can be found in high concentrations in waters near North Carolina’s Outer Banks.   

Best Times to Catch Mahi-Mahi in North Carolina

It’s possible to target mahi-mahi in waters near North Carolina year-round. The North Carolina mahi-mahi fishing season starts in April and ends in October. 

The best months to catch mahi-mahi in the region are May–August. The worst months to catch mahi-mahi in North Carolina waters are October through February.

Mahi-mahi bite well during the morning hours and in the late afternoon. It would be great to fish for mahi-mahi during high tides. Mahi-mahi fishing is excellent when a tide is about to reach its highest point and when a high tide begins to fall. 

Mahi-mahi are active when water temperatures are 68 – 86°F. However, the best water temperature for mahi-mahi fishing is 80 – 82°F.     

Seasonal Breakdown of Mahi-Mahi Fishing in North Carolina

Winter

Water cools down and mahi-mahi get less active in winter. Winter fishing for mahi-mahi is less productive in North Carolina. However, anglers can still catch mahi-mahi in the local waters during the winter months.

Mahi-mahi can be found in North Carolina’s offshore waters during the winter months. A Rapala swim lure works very well for mahi-mahi fishing in North Carolina in winter.      

Spring

The mahi-mahi fishing season in North Carolina begins in spring. The weather is still cold and that’s why mahi-mahi are less active in the early spring. However, the weather is getting warmer and mahi-mahi fishing is getting better in April.

The peak mahi-mahi fishing season starts in North Carolina in the late spring. Nearshore waters of Cape Fear attract so many anglers, who are interested in targeting mahi-mahi during the spring months. Ballyhoo is one of the best live baits that anglers can successfully use to catch mahi-mahi in spring.    

Summer

Summer is the best time of the year to catch mahi-mahi in North Carolina. The water warms up and that’s why mahi-mahi are getting more active. Mahi-mahi fishing is incredible in the local waters during the summer months. In summer, mahi-mahi is moving closer to shore.

So, anglers can catch mahi-mahi within 10 miles of the shoreline in summer. It’s possible to target mahi-mahi in nearshore and offshore waters during the summertime. Rigged ballyhoo is live bait that works best for mahi-mahi fishing in summer.   

Fall

The weather is getting colder and that’s why fishing for mahi-mahi is less productive during the fall months. Mahi-mahi fishing is still good in North Carolina in September – October. Anglers have a better chance to catch mahi-mahi during these months.

Mahi-mahi are less active in the late fall. In the fall, anglers target mahi-mahi in offshore waters. Pilchards are good bait to use for mahi-mahi fishing in the fall. 

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 if you want to create your combo.

Recommended Fishing Charters in North Carolina

These North Carolina-based charters are some of the best at putting you on great fishing action. 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
Lucky Strike Charters	Calabash, NC
Rabid Tuna Sportfishing Charters	Hatteras, NC
Carrisma Sportfishing	Wanchese, NC
S. S. Fish Witch II Charters	Carolina Beach, NC
Fish Whistle Chartering	Carolina Beach, NC
Artemis Sportfishing	Manteo, NC
Tombstone Charters	Atlantic Beach, NC
Seas The Day NC	Hatteras, NC
Carolina Beach Sportfishing	Carolina Beach, NC
Hitman Sportfishing	Wanchese, NC
STOLAT Fishing Charters	Wanchese, NC
DreamGirl Sportfishing	Ocracoke, NC
Blue Chip Sportfishing	Manteo, NC

Night Fishing Mahi-mahi in North Carolina

In most cases, mahi-mahi bite well during the daytime. It’s also possible to catch mahi-mahi during night hours. Mahi-mahi feed actively when the night is bright and when enough light is provided. So, they can see bait well. 

It would be better to fish for mahi-mahi during the full moon. The full moon provides higher night conditions at night. So, mahi-mahi feed actively and anglers find it easy to catch them during night hours. Summer is best time of the year to catch mahi-mahi in North Carolina at night.

When fishing for mahi-mahi at night, anglers can avoid the summer heat. It’s not hot to fish during the nighttime. It’s also important to note that mahi-mahi fishing is excellent during the summer months.   

For a complete breakdown of the best times to catch pompano in North Carolina, check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to catch king mackerel in North Carolina, check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to catch tarpon in North Carolina, check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to catch tuna in North Carolina, check out this guide.