When is the best time to catch mahi-mahi in the Florida Keys?
May to September, when the Keys tourism council grades mahi Peak; they are graded Lower from November to March. Key West captains troll weed lines and floating debris near the Gulf Stream. The limit is 5 per person at 20 in FL in Keys state waters.
What mahi-mahi are
Mahi-mahi, also called dolphinfish (no relation to dolphins), live offshore in warm water. FWC puts them at up to 63 inches and 88 pounds, common to 30 pounds; NOAA says they live up to five years and can breed at four to five months old. They feed mostly on flying fish and squid, and young fish shelter in floating sargassum weed, which is why captains look for weed lines.
NOAA calls the flavour sweet and mild, and FWC calls it a favourite seafood for many people. When one schooling fish is hooked, FWC notes, the rest of the school often stays nearby, which is how a slow morning turns into a full cooler.
When mahi run in the Keys
The Keys tourism council’s fishing calendar grades mahi Peak in May, June, July, August and September, Good in April and October, and Lower in January, February, March, November and December.
Operators agree on the shape. Laid Back Key West calls mahi the offshore staple from April through September; Key West Fishing Deals gives March to June as its peak, with fish possible all year; Captain Conch names May to July. The full month-by-month table is on best time to go.
How Key West captains fish for mahi
Named by Key West Fishing Deals, Blind Squirrel, Eva Marie, Boa Vida, Charter Boat Linda D, Captain Conch, Gulfstream, Laid Back, Conch ’N Around and Florida Straits on their own websites or booking pages.
- Florida Straits Sportfishing trolls and drifts live or cut bait at the colour change, working weed lines and floating debris near the Gulf Stream.
- Key West Fishing Deals works weed lines and follows frigate birds.
- Laid Back Key West says offshore needs six hours minimum, eight is better.
- Boa Vida Charters calls six hours ideal for trolling offshore for mahi and other pelagics.
- Blind Squirrel catches mahi live-baiting on its 12-hour Dry Tortugas run.
Can you keep mahi-mahi?
On a charter the boat’s limit is 5 times the customers fishing. The captain and crew may keep none.
Federal Atlantic waters, further out, allow 10 per person (SAFMC), but Keys mahi trips usually fish under the state rule.
Every limit for every common Keys fish is on what fish you can keep.
| Rule | FWC, Keys state waters |
|---|---|
| Minimum size | 20 in FL |
| Bag limit | 5 per person |
| Season | Open all year |
| Source | FWC: Mahi-mahi (dolphin) |
Which trip to book for mahi
An offshore trip of six or eight hours. Private full days ran $1,250–$2,000 per boat and three-quarter days $900–$1,500 in the October 2026 scan. A half day rarely leaves time to find the weed lines and fish them. See deep-sea fishing, half day vs full day and the charter price page.
Read for this page on 6 October 2026: FWC: dolphinfish profile ; NOAA Fisheries: Atlantic mahi mahi ; Florida Museum: dolphinfish .
Check it at the source
- FWC — Recreational saltwater fishing regulations Current state size limits, bag limits and seasons, species by species. Link checked 6 September 2026
- South Atlantic Fishery Management Council Federal management for snapper, grouper and reef species on the Atlantic side. Link checked 6 September 2026
Mahi-mahi: questions
What month is best for mahi-mahi in Key West?
May to September, when the Keys tourism council grades mahi Peak. Laid Back Key West calls April through September the season, Key West Fishing Deals gives March to June as its peak, and Captain Conch names May to July. Winter, November to March, is graded Lower.
How many mahi can you keep in the Florida Keys?
Five per person per day, at least 20 inches to the fork, in Florida’s Atlantic waters, which include the Keys. On a charter the boat’s limit is five times the customers fishing, and the captain and crew may keep none.
How far offshore are mahi in Key West?
They live offshore along weed lines and floating debris near the Gulf Stream, which is why captains want six to eight hours. Florida Straits Sportfishing works the colour change where the blue water starts. Ask the captain how far they expect to run the week you go.
Next step
Looking for fishing trips in the Florida Keys?
Fishing Trips Florida Keys is an independent guide — no boats, no bookings, nothing to sell. It exists so you can ask better questions before you hand an operator a deposit.
Fishing Trips Florida Keys takes no bookings and earns nothing from a click. You book with the operator directly.