Dolphinfish

US fish and state coverage

Coryphaena hippurus

A state link is a recorded source association, not a catch guarantee or confirmation that targeting is legal. Check current regulations with the responsible state agency.

Peak months
Jun · Jul · Aug
Typical depth
surface–mixed layer; dive deeper if surface too warm (tag studies) ft
Typical size
Up to 63 inches (88 pounds); commonly up to 30 pounds
Catch minimum
National record

See state records · Browse all fishing records

Biology, seasons and size reflect the canonical source record, which may contain Florida context. They are not state-specific guidance for every linked state. Missing fields remain unfilled.

Overview

Habitat summary
Offshore in warm waters. Young live in floating sargassum weed.
Diet
Diet includes flying fish and squid. Adults eat squid, flying fish and other small fish while cruising weed lines in offshore waters. eathers, or spoons. eate a frenzy of activity.
Aliases
mahi-mahi · dorado
Water type
saltwater

When to fish

Peak months
Jun · Jul · Aug
Good months
Jan · Feb · Mar · Apr · May · Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep · Oct · Nov · Dec
Seasonality
FWC Where-to-Fish best times (regional): Summer; Late spring-mid fall; June; Spring-summer; Early summer · Year-round presence/fishing opportunity (intentional display).
Bite time of day
daytime when fish crash the spread
Best time of day
daytime when fish crash the spread; afternoon sometimes better after full-moon nights (forum)
Tide effect
N/A primary; nearshore weedlines may align with tidal color edges
Preferred tide
N/A primary; nearshore weedlines may align with tidal color edges
Tide notes
Pelagic; tide secondary to SST/weedlines/current edges.
Moon phase preference
new often preferred by some FL skippers for daytime mahi
Moon notes
SF Mag Capt. Dean Panos (N Miami): lousy mahi around full moon—feed at night, hesitant daytime; start eating afternoon. Capt. Bouncer Smith disagrees they feed much at night. Treat as contested forum wisdom.
Water temp notes
NC Sea Grant Hook Line Science summarizing satellite tags off Miami: fish spent ~95% time in SST 77–84°F with preference near 80–82°F (peer-linked synthesis). FWC: offshore warm waters; young in sargassum. Broader 72–82 blog ranges exist—prefer science window for notes, leave optimal blank if not FWC.
Wind preference
fishable seas; weedline hunting needs enough visibility
Wind notes
Strong wind spreads weedlines or makes running tough.
Pressure notes
General SWS offshore: pre-front falling barometer aggressive bite.

Where to fish

Habitat summary
Offshore in warm waters. Young live in floating sargassum weed.
Habitat zone
offshore
Fishing zone
offshore
Structure types
sargassum weedline · floating debris · FAD · birds · bluewater temperature break
Water clarity salinity notes
Blue water / weedlines / debris / birds. Full marine salinity.
Current flow notes
Weedlines along current edges / Florida Current margins; FADs/debris.
Typical depth
surface–mixed layer; dive deeper if surface too warm (tag studies) ft

How to catch

Techniques
Adults eat squid, flying fish and other small fish while cruising weed lines in offshore waters. Troll natural baits such as ballyhoo rigged on #7 or #8 steel wire with a 7/0 or 8/0 hook. They can also be caught on artificial lures, feathers, or spoons. When a schooling dolphin is hooked, the rest of the school will often stay nearby. Chumming cut bait will bring them in and create a frenzy of activity. Dolphin is a favorite seafood item for many people.
Reel type
spinning (pitch); conventional trolling
Drag gear notes
FWC: troll ballyhoo on #7–8 wire 7/0–8/0; feathers/spoons. After hookup keep school nearby with pitch baits.

Bait & lures

Preferred bait
Troll natural baits such as ballyhoo rigged on #7 or #8 steel wire with a 7/0 or 8/0 hook. Chumming cut bait will bring them in and create a frenzy of activity.
Preferred lures
Adults eat squid, flying fish and other small fish while cruising weed lines in offshore waters. They can also be caught on artificial lures, feathers, or spoons.
Bait dead
ballyhoo (trolled) · cut bait chum
Lures
skirted trolling lures · feathers · spoons · chugger heads

Size

Typical size
Up to 63 inches (88 pounds); commonly up to 30 pounds

Records

Recorded catches retain their source scope; state and world catches are not national records.

state record evidence

Source context: Florida

Record type
florida state
Record weight lb
81.0
Record location
Lantana
Record date
06/09/2007
Record angler
Robert Vail
Record catch text
81.0 lb; by Robert Vail; on 06/09/2007; at Lantana

Browse sourced catches for this species

Related states & places

Place links are planning context, not proof of local species presence. Florida city links marked local context follow existing directory relationships, not catch reports.

Source-linked directories

Real local listings currently cover Florida only. Boat-ramp, charter and creator links below follow existing Florida species relationships. Bait-shop links are city context only, not species-targeting evidence.

Boat ramps — Florida

Selected examples from 732 source-linked directory records.

Browse the Florida boat ramps directory

Charter captains — Florida

Selected examples from 159 source-linked directory records.

Browse the Florida charter captains directory

Bait shops — Florida

Selected examples from 547 source-linked city-context records.

Browse the Florida bait shops directory

Fishing creators — Florida

Selected examples from 35 source-linked directory records.

Browse the Florida fishing creators directory

Related species

Navigation links share a recorded scientific genus or a source state and water-type grouping. This is not a claim of identical habitat or legal targeting.

Source evidence by state

Legacy Florida source profiles

LoveToFish is a national fishing guide. Fish species coverage spans all 50 states. Ramp, charter, bait shop, and creator directories currently cover Florida. Verify current local regulations with the responsible agency.