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Great Day of Fishing Floaters Offshore

| By Captain Jeff Shelar

Had a great time on the water with Kay, Jake, Frey and Mark! We got in to several schools of Mahi. Found a group of 20 or so, on a weedline and another on a floating pallet. On the way in we hit the wrecks and bent the rod on a few nice big Amberjacks.

They asked me why pelagic fish can be found under floaters and I thought it might be a great article for the website. So here it goes!

Mahi-mahi, also known as Dolphinfish or Mahi, are often found congregating under floating objects such as seaweed mats, debris, or floating structures like buoys and drifting logs. There are several reasons why mahi tend to gather around these objects:

  1. Shelter and Protection: Floating objects provide shelter and protection for smaller fish and organisms, which attract Mahi as they prey on these smaller creatures. These structures offer a safe haven for various marine lifeforms, creating a mini-ecosystem that attracts predators like mahi-mahi.
  2. Food Source: Debris and floating objects attract smaller fish and other marine organisms seeking shelter or feeding on the algae or organisms attached to the floating objects. Mahi-mahi are opportunistic feeders and are attracted to these areas because of the abundance of prey.
  3. Spawning Grounds: Floating structures can sometimes serve as natural gathering points for fish during their reproductive cycles. Mahi may use these areas for breeding purposes due to the availability of food and cover.
  4. Natural Navigation Points: Floating objects often create a break in the ocean currents, causing eddies and converging currents that accumulate food and debris. Mahi-mahi, being migratory fish, use these areas as navigational aids during their travels.

For fishermen, these floating objects serve as hotspots for targeting Mahi-mahi. Anglers often look for debris, patches of floating seaweed, or markers like buoys while fishing offshore as these locations can increase the chances of encountering Mahi-mahi.

If you want to fish for some Mahi with me, book a trip online in the summer that is when they are usually available. You can also call me or visit our contact page for more info.