Mahi-Mahi

Mahi-Mahi Fishing in Florida

Dolphinfish, also known as mahi-mahi, cruise weed lines in offshore waters. FWC sets different limits for Gulf and Atlantic state waters.

Florida rules from FWC and NOAA Fisheries, checked Sep 2026

Check before you keep a fish. Seasons and limits change, sometimes in the middle of a season, and a court or an agency can change them overnight. Everything here was copied from FWC and NOAA Fisheries in Sep 2026 and is listed with its source at the bottom of this page. We are not a regulatory authority. Confirm the current rule with your captain or with FWC before you keep a fish.

Florida state record

  • 81.00 lb Lantana · June 9, 2007 · Robert Vail

From FWC Florida Saltwater Fishing Records (All-Tackle), checked Sep 2026. Records are certified by FWC and can be broken at any time.

About the fish

SizeUp to 63 inches and 88 pounds. Common to 30 pounds
Where it livesOffshore in warm water. Young live in floating sargassum
What it eatsFlying fish and squid

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.

Gulf: when you can keep one

Florida Gulf state waters.

  • All anglersFWC lists no closed seasonNo season dates appear on FWC's dolphinfish page for the Gulf.
No minimum sizeSize limit
10 per personDaily limit. Or 60 per vessel, whichever is less.

Atlantic: when you can keep one

Florida Atlantic state waters.

  • All anglersFWC lists no closed season
20 inches fork lengthSize limit
5 per personDaily limit. Private boats: or 30 per vessel, whichever is less. For-hire: the vessel limit is the number of customers fishing multiplied by the bag limit, and captain and crew may not retain a bag limit. In Atlantic federal waters, NOAA's 2022 rule set 10 per person per day and 54 per vessel, not counting headboats.

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.