| During the late spring, summer, and fall in | | | | Once a schoolie dolphin is hooked and brought |
| the Keys, fishing for dolphin, also known as | | | | to the boat, leave it in the water. A dolphin |
| mahi-mahi, is the best time of fishing in the | | | | can grow to a weight of about 80 pounds but |
| whole year | | | | lives only about five years. |
| | | | |
| That's dolphin the fish, mahi mahi, not | | | | Work the weed lines to look for fish, |
| dolphin, the "Flipper", porpoise. Our dolphin | | | | particularly dolphin. In any region, the |
| fish are an exciting offshore game fish | | | | "hottest" hot spot will likely be a blue |
| ranging in size from 6 to 60 pounds. | | | | water agglomeration of floating debris and |
| | | | drifting Sargasso weed, guaranteed to attract |
| The best time for Dolphin Fishing is usually | | | | roaming dolphin. These objects floating in |
| April, May and June. It is also commonplace | | | | the open sea attract smaller baitfish for |
| for some exceptional Dolphin catches from | | | | shelter, and they in turn attract dolphin. |
| early October through mid-December. | | | | |
| | | | Watch the water for fish next time you head |
| If you're learning to catch fish on your own, | | | | out; be aware of what is going on in the |
| here are a few tips to get you started. | | | | water. Baitfish attract predator fish, and |
| Dolphin truly are the perfect game fish. They | | | | there is no reason for not fishing the area |
| are prolific breeders, rapid growing and | | | | around a big baitfish school. |
| short lived which make them an excellent | | | | |
| choice as a game fish. They can withstand | | | | Dolphin don't move too far from their food |
| recreational catches without becoming over | | | | source so keep your eyes open for floating |
| fishing. | | | | weeds, other floating objects, temperature |
| | | | rips, and sub surface structures which may |
| 1. Get out early - these fish are always | | | | attract and provide shelter to flying fish |
| hungry at daybreak. Most dolphins are caught | | | | and other sources of food. |
| before noon for this reason. | | | | |
| | | | 5. Trolling |
| 2. Bait - Sometimes we can cast and cut live | | | | |
| bait when the schools of Dolphin are | | | | Dolphin like to chase after their food. So |
| attracted to the boat. Often when we are | | | | trolling their dinner behind the boat will be |
| trolling for Dolphin you will see the fish | | | | our way of catching & hooking up these |
| charge and strike the bait. Use Live Ballyhoo | | | | fish. If the fish don't strike your bait |
| whenever possible. | | | | while you're trolling fast, slow down, and |
| | | | let the bait sink a little. |
| Chum does not last long in a swift current so | | | | |
| plan accordingly. I was finding almost 2 mph | | | | Pitch a naked ballyhoo over a group of birds |
| of current to the east. Live Pinfish and | | | | working over a small slick, and you might |
| strips of Bonito were hit the best along with | | | | hook up with the fish of a lifetime! |
| strips of Blue Runner and Ballyhoo plugs. | | | | |
| | | | When a fish hits, Let go of the line, count |
| 3. Fishing Tackle - One end of the wire will | | | | to five, snap the bail closed, and start |
| have a haywire twist to attach to the fishing | | | | cranking. |
| line via snap swivel and the other end will | | | | |
| have 7/0 or 8/0 hook attached using a haywire | | | | When you've hooked your fish, work on him so |
| twist and pin rig. | | | | he gets tired. You don't want to get a 40 lb |
| | | | fish back to the boat until he's quieted down |
| Proper tackle for catching dolphin depends on | | | | a bit. |
| the size of the fish you might suppose. | | | | |
| Dolphin may be as small as two pounds and as | | | | Dolphin grow incredibly fast, so that a 5 |
| large as eighty pounds; so bring a variety of | | | | pounder you let go in June might become the |
| tackle sizes for the fish you want to catch. | | | | 30 pounder you'll be fishing for in |
| | | | September. Catch & Release means just |
| 4. - Finding Dolphin - Head out to deep water | | | | keep a few of these small dolphins (called |
| to search for these fish. Regarding location, | | | | "schoolies") and return the rest to the sea. |
| the most common reason you might not be | | | | |
| catching Dolphin is not going far enough | | | | Conclusion |
| offshore. We recommend at least 3 miles. | | | | |
| | | | Swordfish, Marlin, Sailfish, Dolphin, Cobia, |
| Keep a look out for sea birds such as the | | | | Wahoo, Tuna and Kingfish are just a few of |
| Frigate, Man-0-War, etc. The Birds will often | | | | the species we catch off the Southeast |
| follow the larger fish which they can spot | | | | Florida Coast. |
| from the air. You will find most of the | | | | |
| Dolphin under birds and, of course, look for | | | | We catch Most of our dolphin while fishing |
| debris. | | | | for Tuna. Whether gunning for tuna, marlin or |
| | | | dolphin, Fish 'em all with Live Bait!! |