Fishing For Dolphin Fish in Key West

The stunning colors on a freshly caught dolphin fish soon fade. Always caught offshore in the blue water, they are a regular and welcome visitor to the seas around Key West.

This fellow certainly wins a prize for having so many names !. Known as Dorado or Dolphin to us fisherpeople, it's often called Mahi-Mahi when served in a restaurant. Whatever it's called, it's a really delicious eating fish, one of the best in the ocean. 

Although known as the Dolphin Fish, it has absolutely no connection with Flipper or any of his friends. They have a lifespan of only 4 to 5 years and are known as one of the fastest growing fish in the ocean. They seldom exceed 35 lbs and a forty pounder is an exceptional fish.

They have compressed bodies and long dorsal fins extending almost the entire length of their bodies. They are distinguished by dazzling colors: yellow and gold on the lower sides, with bright blues and greens above that. Mature males have a prominent forehead whereas females have a rounded head.

Dolphin fish are fast swimmers, with a top speed of around 50 knots. They are frequently found around patches of weed or any foreign object floating around the ocean. We've seen them under wooden pallets, around floating planks of wood, under a floating tangled rope and around a huge turtle that was minding its own business as it drifted aimlessly around the ocean. They are also found on the edge of color changes and are often found by following sea birds as they circle over one or more fish.

Once located, the dolphin isn't a difficult fish to catch. It's a fine fighting fish and one of the tastiest in the whole ocean with a nice firm texture and a mild pleasant taste, one of our favorite fish !.