UTERMahi-mahi fishing in Delaware Bay and Ocean City
In Delaware Bay and Ocean City, mahi-mahi peak July–September and are around June–October, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. August: Mahi in the Baltimore, Poor Man's and Washington canyons under the pot floats.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Mahi-mahi in Delaware Bay and Ocean City, month by month
- JanuaryNot here
- FebruaryNot here
- MarchNot here
- AprilNot here
- MayNot here
- JuneArriving
- JulyPeakCanyon season opens up: yellowfin, mahi, white marlin. Run to Poor Man's, Baltimore and Washington canyons for marlin and tuna; fluke move to the ocean wrecks; croaker and spot in the bay and inland bays.
- AugustPeakMahi in the Baltimore, Poor Man's and Washington canyons under the pot floats.
- SeptemberPeakSome of the best mahi of the year in the canyons.
- OctoberLeaving
- NovemberNot here
- DecemberNot here
Where to fish mahi-mahi near Lewes, Indian River Inlet, Ocean City
Delaware Bay's big, shoaly estuary with the lumps and sloughs off Slaughter Beach and the Coral Beds; the Delaware, Maryland and Assateague surf; the inland bays and back bays behind them (Rehoboth, Indian River, Assawoman, Sinepuxent, Chincoteague); Virginia's wild seaside barrier islands; and the offshore lumps (Jackspot, Hambone) out to Baltimore, Poor Man's and Washington canyons.
Fish Scouter charts 150 wreck, 52 artificial reef, 1 ledge / hard bottom spots in the Delmarva & Delaware Bay map area — the kinds mahi-mahi hold on.
What to use for mahi-mahi
- BallyhooRigged on a wire or mono trolling rig, skipping or swimming, behind a skirt or naked.
- Pilchards (whitebait)Free-lined or under a cork, hooked through the nose on a #1 to 2/0 circle hook. The one bait that catches everything inshore.
- Blue runners (hardtails)Nose-hooked and slow-trolled on a wire stinger rig for kings; bridled for sailfish and cobia.
- Leader40–60 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook4/0–8/0
- Braid50–100 lb
Feeds in 72–88°F water, best at 76–84°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch mahi-mahi in Delaware Bay and Ocean City?
Peak season is July–September. Mahi-mahi are in Delaware Bay and Ocean City June–October. August: Mahi in the Baltimore, Poor Man's and Washington canyons under the pot floats.
Where do mahi-mahi hold in Delaware Bay and Ocean City?
Look on wreck, artificial reef, ledge / hard bottom — around Lewes, Indian River Inlet, Ocean City, Chincoteague, Wachapreague, Cape May.
What is the best bait for mahi-mahi in Delaware Bay and Ocean City?
Live bait: ballyhoo, pilchards (whitebait), blue runners (hardtails). Ballyhoo: Rigged on a wire or mono trolling rig, skipping or swimming, behind a skirt or naked. Tackle: leader 40–60 lb fluorocarbon, hook 4/0–8/0, braid 50–100 lb.
Fish it with the tide in your pocket
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All about mahi-mahi · Delmarva & Delaware Bay, the whole year