Islamorada Mahi Mahi Charters
Offshore Hunting | The Humps | 8 Hours
What is a mahi mahi charter in Islamorada?
An Islamorada mahi mahi charter is a full-day offshore trip focused on trolling weed lines, current edges, birds, floating debris, and the Humps for dolphin fish. These trips are especially good in spring and summer and can turn chaotic fast when a school shows up behind the boat.
Offshore mahi mahi hunting in the Florida Keys
This is a full-day offshore charter built around mahi-mahi hunting. Our 8+ hour trip starts with catching live bait at the reef, then we run to The Humps, the undersea mountains near Islamorada.
From there we troll and keep watch for diving birds and floating debris, which usually means fish are holding underneath.
The "Schoolie" Chaos
Once we hook a Mahi, if the school follows it to the boat, we switch fast to spinning gear and live bait. That is the fun part, hooking fish right next to the boat and gaffing the big bulls into the cooler.
Fish in comfort
You fish the day from our 42-foot Liberty Express.
- Fully air-conditioned salon
- Private restroom
- Comfortable seating
Also Targeting at The Humps:
Reserve the Voyage
Select your date to hunt the elusive Mahi-Mahi.
That day's either booked solid or off our regular schedule. Call us: we keep a waitlist for last-minute openings, and we work with a fleet of sister boats that can run if we can't.
📞 Call (305) 209-5594 See Sister-Boat Fleet →Check Affiliate Private Availability
If DirtyBoat is booked, we can still get your group on the water. Our partner fleet (Miss Penny, Just Cuz, Blue Heaven, and Islamorada Luxe) is vetted to the DirtyBoat standard. From deep sea fishing to private sandbar trips and sunset cruises.
Quick Details
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Duration
Full 8 Hours
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Capacity
Up to 6 Crew
What to bring
- Quick dry clothing or swimsuit
- Polarized sunglasses
- Food and heavy rations
- Non-marking shoes
- Cash for the mate (15-20%)
Included
- Tournament-grade gear
- Fresh live bait
- Fishing license
- Ice and bottled water
Articles of Agreement
Payment Methods
Online bookings require full payment. Cash is king at Robbie's Marina.
Gratuity
"The mate works for the bounty." Customary tip is 15%-20%.
Cancellation Policy
- • 14+ Days: Full refund (less 6% fee).
- • 7-13 Days: 50% refund.
- • Weather/Captain's Call: Full refund or credit.
Islamorada Mahi Mahi FAQs
Real answers to questions I actually get on the dock.
When is mahi mahi season?
April through August, peak in May and June when water hits 78-82°F. Schoolies show first in spring, then the gaffers and bulls follow as the water warms. Schools concentrate on weedlines and floating debris in the Gulf Stream.
Where do you catch them?
Weedlines and current rips 6 to 15 miles offshore is the bread and butter. The Humps (Marathon Hump and West Hump), 15 miles south, hold mahi May through August. We run-and-gun, covering ground until we mark a productive line or spot a floating tree, pallet, or buoy.
How do you fish for them?
Trolling skirted ballyhoo and chuggers to find the school, then switching to spinning gear and casting bucktails or pitching live pilchards when fish show behind the boat. Once we're on a school, it's multi-hookup chaos until they're done. Mahi are sight feeders, they eat almost anything thrown right.
How big do they get?
Schoolies under 15 lbs are the everyday catch, traveling in big schools. Gaffers run 15-30 lbs. Bulls over 30 lbs are the trophy class: Islamorada produces 50+ pounders every season. Florida state record is 80+ lbs, set right here in the Keys. Bulls are usually singles working a high-floating object.
How much does it cost?
$2,200 plus $200 fuel for up to 6 anglers: about $400 per person if you fill the boat. The 8-hour day includes captain, mate, all trolling and spinning gear, ballyhoo, live bait when available, licenses, ice, water, and fish cleaning.
What's the limit?
Florida limit is 5 mahi per angler per day, 20-inch fork length minimum. Boat limit caps at 30 fish per day. During peak May-July, we fill these limits regularly. Cleaning is included and we vacuum-bag fillets for the trip home if you ask.
Are they good to eat?
Top of the list. Firm, mild, white flesh: versatile in any preparation. We clean and fillet everything at the dock at Robbie's. Most clients take fillets to Robbie's restaurant, Square Grouper, or Wahoo's to have them cooked fresh that night.
What gear do you run?
Penn International conventionals on 30-50 lb for the troll spread (skirted ballyhoo, chuggers). Shimano Stella and Saragosa spinning reels with 30-50 lb braid for sight casting bucktails and pitching live baits. Light wire leader for the toothy bycatch (wahoo, kingfish) that come up in the spread.