Where to fish for mahi-mahi
614 charters name mahi-mahi on their own website, across 149 towns in 2 states.
State records for mahi-mahi
The heaviest mahi-mahi each state has certified, biggest first.
| State | Weight | Where | Year | Angler |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 81 lb | Lantana | 2007 | Robert Vailsource |
| North Carolina | 79 lb | Cape Hatteras | 1993 | Sean J. Yurkaninsource |
| South Carolina | 77.5 lb | Seabrook Island | 2008 | R. Riggssource |
| Maryland | 74.5 lb | Poor Man's Canyon | 2019 | Kristy Frashuresource |
| Louisiana | 71.25 lb | — | 1976 | Robert Prest IVsource |
| Georgia | 68.58 lb | — | 2025 | Cade Quicksource |
| Texas | 65.7 lb | Gulf of Mexico | 2008 | Ryan Fostersource |
| Alabama | 65.5 lb | — | 2007 | Ashton Troy Mabiresource |
| New Jersey | 63.19 lb | Baltimore Canyon | 1974 | Scott Smith Jr.source |
| Mississippi | 62 lb | — | 1985 | D.L. Siegelsource |
| Massachusetts | 61.19 lb | Veatch Canyon | 2009 | Ty Warrensource |
| Delaware | 56.88 lb | — | 2014 | William D. Emmertsource |
Each from that state's own records page, linked on every row. A location links to its town only where the agency named that town — a record logged to "Gulf of Mexico" or an offshore block belongs to no city. Weights are printed as the agency prints them. Records are certified by the state and can be broken at any time.
How big mahi-mahi run
Federal interviewers measured 4,432 of them on charter trips between 2022–2024. The middle half ran 18.3–33.4 inches, with a median of 23.6 inches.
Separately, MRIP's catch records for those trips count 7,267 kept against 911 released. That is a different tally from the fish that were measured, not a breakdown of them.
- Florida22.4" median, 2,425 measured
- North Carolina27.8" median, 1,828 measured
NOAA Fisheries MRIP dockside interviews, 2022–2024. A sample of the fish boats brought in, not a total, and not a forecast for any one trip.
About the fish
FWC says they are one of the fastest-growing fish, and live no more than about five years.
From FWC's species profile, checked Sep 2026.
Which rules apply to your trip
- Florida's limits differ by coast. Gulf state waters: no minimum size, 10 per person or 60 per vessel, whichever is less. Atlantic state waters: 20 inches fork length and 5 per person; private boats are also capped at 30 per vessel, whichever is less.
- In Atlantic federal waters, NOAA's 2022 rule kept the recreational bag limit at 10 dolphin per person per day and set a vessel limit of 54, not counting headboats.
- In Atlantic state waters, a for-hire boat's limit is the number of customers fishing multiplied by the bag limit, and FWC prohibits the captain and crew from retaining a bag limit.
Harvest rules
When can you keep one in Florida?
Seasons and limits are set state by state, and these are Florida's. Mahi-Mahi is caught by charters in 2 states on this page; ask your captain which rules apply where you are fishing.
Gulf
Florida Gulf state waters.
- All anglersFWC lists no closed seasonNo season dates appear on FWC's dolphinfish page for the Gulf.
Atlantic
Florida Atlantic state waters.
- All anglersFWC lists no closed season
Gear rules
In Florida state waters the legal gear for dolphinfish is hook and line and spearing.
Questions about mahi-mahi
How many mahi can I keep?
It depends on the coast. Gulf state waters: 10 per person or 60 per boat, whichever is less. Atlantic state waters: 5 per person or 30 per boat for private anglers.
Is there a size limit?
In Atlantic state waters, 20 inches fork length. In Gulf state waters FWC lists no minimum size.
What is the boat limit on an Atlantic charter?
In Atlantic state waters, the number of customers fishing multiplied by the bag limit. FWC prohibits the captain and crew from retaining a bag limit.
Do the federal rules differ?
Yes. In Atlantic federal waters, NOAA's 2022 rule kept a recreational bag limit of 10 dolphin per person per day and set a vessel limit of 54, not counting headboats. In Atlantic state waters FWC sets a 20-inch fork length minimum and 5 per person.
Seasons, sizes and bag limits on this page were copied from FWC, dolphinfish regulations and NOAA Fisheries, Atlantic dolphin and wahoo measures and FWC, dolphinfish profile in Sep 2026. Rules change, sometimes mid-season. Check the current rule with your captain or FWC before you keep a fish.