Mahi (Dolphinfish).
Blue-water schoolers. Weed lines, frigates, neon body, table-fish prize.
How they feed in the Keys
Mahi are the most-targeted blue-water species in the Keys — schools of 2–10 lb "schoolies" hold under weed lines, debris, and frigate-bird activity 100–600 feet offshore, while bull dolphin (males 25–60 lbs) cruise solo or in pairs on the same structure. The Florida Stream edge from Islamorada to Key West is mahi country every spring through fall. The fishery is visual: you're scanning for weed lines, bird activity, sargassum mats, and any floating debris that holds bait.
75–84°F
Active 72–86°F · Follow warm water bands
Less direct (offshore species).
Gulf Stream edge and eddies concentrate bait and mahi. The transition between green inshore water and blue Stream water is the magic line.
Sunny + light wind for spotting weed lines and bird activity. 1–3 ft seas perfect.
Stable.
All day, mid-morning peak. Bull dolphin often eat first thing in the morning.
Some lunar correlation but less specific than reef species.
Less direct.
Always have a pitch rod rigged with a live pilchard or pinfish. When a schoolie eats trolled ballyhoo, leave it in the water — it brings the school to the boat.
A diving frigate is mahi or tuna under it. A high-flying frigate is hunting; circle nearby for activity.
12-month outlook
What they eat, what catches them
Trolled ballyhoo
The ocean-running standard. Skirted on Islander or sea-witch, 6–8 knots.
Live pilchard or pinfish (pitch)
Pitch live bait into a school holding around the boat after the first hookup.
Ballyhoo strip on jig
Sight cast to fish under weed lines. Light spin.
- Squid + skirt· Trolling alternative when ballyhoo is unavailable.
- Topwater plug· Aggressive bull dolphin will crush a Spook on the surface.
- Trolling the Stream edge
4-rod spread of skirted ballyhoo at 6–8 knots, 60–600 ft of water along the color change.
- Sight-casting weed lines
Pitch live pilchard or ballyhoo strip + jig from a stationary boat to fish you can see.
How top captains rig it
Conventional: 30–50 lb mono. Spin: 30–50 lb braid for pitch.
Conventional 30–50 lb class. Spin 6000–8000.
Trolling: 6'6" stand-up class. Spin: 7' medium-heavy.
60–80 lb fluorocarbon.
- 4-rod trolling spread
30 lb conventional + skirted ballyhoo + 80 lb fluoro leader. 4 rods at varied distances behind the boat.
- Pitch rod
7' medium-heavy spin + 30 lb braid + 50 lb fluoro + 5/0 circle + live pilchard. Always rigged on the bow.
Recreational rules
20" fork length minimum.
10 per harvester per day, 60 per vessel maximum.
Open year-round.
Spearing legal in many areas.
Note · Bag and vessel limits provide ample harvest opportunity for typical recreational trips.
What actually moves the bite
Each factor is rated by how much it shifts the bite for this fish in the Keys. Calibrated against the Bite Score weights — see the Bite Score reference for what each factor measures.