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Klb1980
New member
Username: Klb1980
Post Number: 18
Registered: 06-2010
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, July 06, 2010 - 06:31 pm: | 
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Hello - I have spent the last few years fishing the irb and inlet. I finally got a boat that i feel comfortable taking outside and wanted to see if any of you guys could give me some guidence on trolling for mahi. I need to know if i need a special license, size limit, trolling speed, distance i need to be offshore, what to use for bait, how to rig everything. I am a complete newbie to this type of fishing. I have learned alot from this forum,and was hoping some of you guys that fish this way could give me some pointers. Thanks in advance!! |
Parker23
New member
Username: Parker23
Post Number: 80
Registered: 07-2009
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, July 06, 2010 - 07:26 pm: |
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I need to get the same info I want to try my self for mahi? I do know that you need NO license other than the fishing license you need for fishing and there is NO size limit? I also know that they are top water fish or they bit bait under weed line or and kind of cover on the water. As to bait I can not help you or me? I have a out board 250 and need to know how fast to troll? I ask some one if I could use live spot and they said that he through that the mahi woukd bit if I used a balloon to keep the spot from going deep? Maybe someone can give us some pointers. |
Albemarle305
Senior member
Username: Albemarle305
Post Number: 2567
Registered: 08-2005
Get a Reel job, go Sportfishing
Rating: 
Votes: 1 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, July 06, 2010 - 09:08 pm: |
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Parker23, you don't need fishing licence, you are in federal waters, Buy a map, fish from lighship, to massesys all around the lumps, troll around 5-6 knots, troll artificials or, ballyhoos.. expect to fish about 20+ miles!!! |
Halfhitch
Senior member
Username: Halfhitch
Post Number: 1417
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, July 06, 2010 - 09:18 pm: |
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This request has Chief Mikey all over it. I'm sure he will add some more information once he sees this thread.
I don't know of anyone who loves to fish for the "tasties" like he does.
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Rm2
Senior member
Username: Rm2
Post Number: 2031
Registered: 05-2003
Enjoying my boatless status!
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, July 06, 2010 - 09:25 pm: |
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I would get a federal permit. https://hmspermits.noaa.gov/InitialApp.asp
It's only $20 and good for a year.
You'll be fishing in the same areas BFT may roam and it would be shame to get caught without the permit if you happen to land one and not release it.
I think MD has some special tagging requirements too.
Rob IR Delaware
Member:Indian River Captains Assoc - DMS # 2252 - Dana Lynn Charters
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Klb1980
New member
Username: Klb1980
Post Number: 19
Registered: 06-2010
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, July 06, 2010 - 09:31 pm: |
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Albemarle thanks for the info - how far do you let your line out from the back of the boat, do you put any weight on or do you free float the baits on the top of the water? How do you rig the baits with hooks? Thanks Again |
Albemarle305
Senior member
Username: Albemarle305
Post Number: 2570
Registered: 08-2005
Get a Reel job, go Sportfishing
Rating:
Votes: 1 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, July 07, 2010 - 04:05 pm: |
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To a newby, I wouldn't even begin to tell you how to wire a ballyhoo over the internet (even though it is pretty simple) YOu can buy ballyhoo rigs with the springs on them to rig them. They usually have weights. I never troll just for mahi, i target tuna but my flatlines are closer then most people run, but they get hit just about every trip out. I run them about 15-20ft back, I usually use always have a cederplug chain or a mo lure chain on the flats, and ballys everywhere else... can't go wrong, as the lines go out from the center of you boat to the sides they will normally be the ones that you are sending out further off riggers or whatever you may have.. best thing to do is get someone to go with you or, you go with someone, offshore fishing isn't something people can learn, walking into a bait shop and asking what to use, how to use it, and where to fish.. doesn't work like that...
scott
timeoff |
Pettee
Junior member
Username: Pettee
Post Number: 130
Registered: 05-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, July 07, 2010 - 05:11 pm: |
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I am sure that the same goes for up here as it did for catching them in the keys, but ALWAYS have a pitch rig ready. Keep one hooked, toss out the pitch bait, hook the second. Always keep one in the water and you can just keep picking them off.
I always trolled Billy Baits as my go to lure, pitch bait was nothing more than cut hoo or finger mullet on a light outfit - one 10lb and one w/20 lb. Almost always went with the 10lb for the sheer fun of it. |
Sportfisher
Senior member
Username: Sportfisher
Post Number: 3015
Registered: 02-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, July 07, 2010 - 10:31 pm: |
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Pettee wrote on Wednesday July 07 2010 - 05:11 pm:I am sure that the same goes for up here as it did for catching them in the keys, but ALWAYS have a pitch rig ready. Keep one hooked, toss out the pitch bait, hook the second. Always keep one in the water and you can just keep picking them off.
That works up here too. At least it did back when I used to run offshore.
"What a great advantage for leaders that the people do not think" - Adolf Hitler
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Wish4fish
Junior member
Username: Wish4fish
Post Number: 198
Registered: 01-2007
Don't touch it twice, unless it feels good!
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, July 08, 2010 - 12:04 pm: |
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Mahi seem to me to be the dumbest fish, but I am told that they have such a strong appetite that it makes them appear dumb. We have always found them hanging around floating debris, lobster balls, or along weed lines. I will never forget waking up after a nap from an all nighter in the canyons and there was this ginormous school of them. we got tired of catching them and left to find some larger sport fish. I did not understand leaving them until we started landing 6 ft wahoos and white marlin. |
Bocky57
Junior member
Username: Bocky57
Post Number: 178
Registered: 07-2009
The best fish to catch is the one on the end of your line
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, July 08, 2010 - 12:23 pm: |
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I would try one of the charter boats out of IR or OC and learn from them and watch.Or run down to Cape hatteras,there is a great Dolphin bite going on now I think.Boats will just run out after them.Check out YouTube also..there are some videos on there that may help.Its kinda hard to explain everything on here...Good Luck |
Rm2
Senior member
Username: Rm2
Post Number: 2032
Registered: 05-2003
Enjoying my boatless status!
Rating:
Votes: 1 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, July 08, 2010 - 03:21 pm: |
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Mahi are a suicidal fish. Seams like if you get one to bite the others think "oh cool, I'm going eat that too".
Here's a vid I shot awhile ago playing with some chicken's on light tackle.
http://www.saltfish.net/videos/RM2Mahi.wmv
Rob IR Delaware
Member:Indian River Captains Assoc - DMS # 2252 - Dana Lynn Charters
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Tideruner4
Senior member
Username: Tideruner4
Post Number: 507
Registered: 03-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, July 08, 2010 - 05:11 pm: |
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Nice video RM |
Albemarle305
Senior member
Username: Albemarle305
Post Number: 2572
Registered: 08-2005
Get a Reel job, go Sportfishing
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, July 08, 2010 - 07:45 pm: |
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We were in the WASH. one day and past the lobster ball 3 times trolling, saw mahi under it everytime we past, When we had no hit, we would change lures (most were bailers with some bigger ones) Finally back up to it with light gear and cut up some ballyhoo, I think after they got fired up we ended with 40+ off the one Lobsterball, even caught one one lunch meat.. I would say for the most part sucide, but that day they wouldn't hit a troll lure!!
scott
timeoff |
More_ice
Advanced member
Username: More_ice
Post Number: 417
Registered: 03-2004
Rating:
Votes: 1 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, July 08, 2010 - 10:57 pm: |
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Who in the world trolls for Mahi?...Just find something floating and load up!! Trolling for them would be a waste of time, energy and fuel!
The bitches are right under the wood!!
"If it ain't broke....take it apart and put it back together and have lots of left over parts".
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Esquired
Senior member
Username: Esquired
Post Number: 1547
Registered: 10-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, July 10, 2010 - 05:55 am: |
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More_ice wrote on Thursday July 08 2010 - 10:57 pm:Who in the world trolls for Mahi?...Just find something floating and load up!! Trolling for them would be a waste of time, energy and fuel!
The bitches are right under the wood!!
I agree - but trolling between the floating stuff can, and will, produce. If you want to try it the simple way,m get some cedar plugs in different sizes and colors. Troll them at 6 kts or less and you should pull a few Mahi
www.ucHelpCenter.com
Dogfish - the other white meat
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Grady268
Member
Username: Grady268
Post Number: 228
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, July 10, 2010 - 01:20 pm: |
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Here was a great producing lure when I used to troll for them. If you need help catching them, I will be glad to go out with you   |
Blackbart
Member
Username: Blackbart
Post Number: 244
Registered: 03-2009
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, July 10, 2010 - 01:50 pm: |
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The easiest way to go fishing for Mahi, is to go fishing for tuna. The mahi will find you.... If you can get out to where Albe305 said, you'll do just fine. Almost anything will work on mahi...
Good luck
"Can't catch em' sittin' at the dock" - Tred Barta
When you'll except nothing less than perfection: GW 306 Bimini
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Steptoo
Senior member
Username: Steptoo
Post Number: 711
Registered: 05-2005
I NEED MORE TIME TO FISH...RETIRE SOON?????
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, July 10, 2010 - 03:17 pm: |
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ROB....GREAT VIDEO.....!!!!!!!!!! |
Mike_m
Founding member
Username: Mike_m
Post Number: 3453
Registered: 05-2004
Pass it on
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, July 10, 2010 - 06:30 pm: |
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Yea Mark, I must be slipping, took my boss telling me about your post to get to it.
Kory and Tom, it's a pretty easy method and doesn't take a lot of fancy tackle, just some inexpensive lures decent light tackle rods and good eye's.
First you need water temps in the mid 70's, clear to blue water and some structure (floating objects, buoys, Sargasso weed, whatever). I've seen hundreds of them gather around one broken 5 gallon black bucket and I love blue pallets. Keep your speed around 6.2 to 6.5 mph as they like the lure moving. When you see something in the water, make a pass at it, but not too close as to drive them down, turn the boat as to swing the lures close to the object after you pass it by that way the lure is close but the boat doesn't spook them. Once you get one hooked, slow the boat to a slow troll (clutch speed) and have another rod ready with a bucktail, small plug or some bally chunks. Leave the first fish on the line as the others will chase it in. You can hook the others up and have a blast, but remember you can demolish a school if you get too greedy. If they start moving off, just throw some bait chunks out to draw them back in.
The lures I prefer are Rattle Jets in pink, purple, blue and white and green and yellow. Another good lure is the Little Bubbler, it leaves a really good smoke trail (bubbles) and as in the Rattle Jets, use the same colors. I like to put a small bird inline with the bait to make some commotion and draw them to the lure. Vary your distance behind the boat until you find what works best. I would also suggest that you have a jointed plug in PINK, for some odd reason they love Pink Plugs better than any other color.
Have fun and eat hardy!!! |
Release26
Senior member
Username: Release26
Post Number: 671
Registered: 05-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, July 11, 2010 - 09:50 pm: |
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We stopped at one floating 5 gallon bucket a couple years ago and caught 68 and let about 20 go! |
