UTERMahi-mahi fishing in Southern California
In Southern California, mahi-mahi peak August–September and are around July–October, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. August: Peak: work every paddy.
Last of them.
Mahi-mahi in Southern California, month by month
- JanuaryNot here
- FebruaryNot here
- MarchNot here
- AprilNot here
- MayNot here
- JuneNot here
- JulyArrivingDorado on the kelp paddies in warm years — 20–60 miles out.
- AugustPeakPeak: work every paddy.
- SeptemberPeakStill on the paddies.
- OctoberLeavingLast of them.
- NovemberNot here
- DecemberNot here
Where to fish mahi-mahi near San Diego, Dana Point, Long Beach
A sheltered bight of kelp forests, sand flats and harbors, with the Channel Islands, Catalina and San Clemente 20–60 miles out and the offshore banks (Tanner, Cortes, the 9-Mile, the 43) beyond. The long-range sportboat fleet out of San Diego is its heart.
Fish Scouter charts 227 wreck, 76 artificial reef, 16 ledge / hard bottom spots in the Southern California Bight 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 Southern California?
Peak season is August–September. Mahi-mahi are in Southern California July–October. August: Peak: work every paddy.
Where do mahi-mahi hold in Southern California?
Look on wreck, artificial reef, ledge / hard bottom — around San Diego, Dana Point, Long Beach, Marina del Rey, Oxnard, Santa Barbara.
What is the best bait for mahi-mahi in Southern California?
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.
What are the rules for mahi-mahi in Southern California?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and change — read the current rule at https://wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Ocean/Regulations before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://wildlife.ca.gov/Licensing/Fishing.
Fish it with the tide in your pocket
Fish Scouter scores mahi-mahi for this hour on this water, draws every reef, wreck and access point near you, and keeps your spots. $9.99 a month, 14 days free.
Start 14 free daysMore
All about mahi-mahi · Southern California Bight, the whole year