UTERMahi-mahi fishing in Indian River Lagoon
In Indian River Lagoon, mahi-mahi peak May–July and are around April–October, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. May: Weed lines off Canaveral.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Mahi-mahi in Indian River Lagoon, month by month
- JanuaryNot here
- FebruaryNot here
- MarchNot here
- AprilArriving
- MayPeakWeed lines off Canaveral.
- JunePeak
- JulyPeak
- AugustLeaving
- SeptemberAround
- OctoberAround
- NovemberNot here
- DecemberNot here
Where to fish mahi-mahi near Melbourne, Cocoa, Titusville
Mosquito Lagoon, the Banana River and the northern Indian River Lagoon — shallow, clear, grass-and-sand flats famous for sight-fishing tailing redfish and giant trout — plus Port Canaveral and Ponce Inlet, the beaches, and the nearshore reefs.
Fish Scouter charts 118 wreck, 85 artificial reef, 17 ledge / hard bottom spots in the The Space Coast Lagoons 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 Indian River Lagoon?
Peak season is May–July. Mahi-mahi are in Indian River Lagoon April–October. May: Weed lines off Canaveral.
Where do mahi-mahi hold in Indian River Lagoon?
Look on wreck, artificial reef — around Melbourne, Cocoa, Titusville, Port Canaveral, New Smyrna Beach.
What is the best bait for mahi-mahi in Indian River Lagoon?
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 Indian River Lagoon?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and change — read the current rule at https://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/ before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://myfwc.com/license/recreational/.
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.
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All about mahi-mahi · The Space Coast Lagoons, the whole year