Islamorada Mahi Mahi Charters
Offshore Hunting | The Humps | 8 Hours
DirtyBoat Charters runs full-day mahi mahi trips out of Robbie's Marina in Islamorada aboard a 42-foot Liberty Express. Mahi season in the Florida Keys runs April through August, and the best fishing is May and June, when the Gulf Stream warms into the 78 to 82 degree range and the schools set up on weedlines, current edges, and floating debris. Book April or September for a shot at a bull over 30 pounds.
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 one of our Islamorada fishing charters built around a full day of 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 (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 or more before departure: 100% refund.
- 7 days to less than 14 days before departure: 50% refund.
- 72 hours to less than 7 days before departure: 25% refund.
- Less than 72 hours before departure or no-show: 0% refund.
Refund percentages apply to payments actually received, including fuel. No processing-fee deduction or additional cancellation charge.
If the captain cancels for weather or boat issues, you choose a full refund or rescheduling at no extra cost.
If a shared trip does not reach its minimum, you choose a full refund or rescheduling at no extra cost.
If we resell your canceled booking at the same value, we refund your original payments in full.
Notice is measured from the scheduled departure time in America/New_York. Text (305) 209-5594 or email kit@dirtyboat.com so your cancellation request is timestamped.
Islamorada Mahi Mahi FAQs
Real answers to questions I actually get on the dock.
When is the best time to catch mahi mahi in Islamorada?
DirtyBoat Charters fishes mahi mahi out of Robbie's Marina in Islamorada from April through August, and the best time is May and June, when the Gulf Stream hits 78 to 82 degrees and the schools stack up on weedlines and floating debris. Schoolies show first in spring, then the gaffers and bulls follow as the water warms. Bull mahi over 30 pounds show up most often in April, early May, and September.
Where do you catch mahi mahi in Islamorada?
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 mahi mahi in Islamorada?
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 mahi mahi get in Islamorada?
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 a mahi mahi charter in Islamorada 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 is the bag limit for mahi mahi in Florida?
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 mahi mahi 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 use for mahi mahi fishing?
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.
What time of day is best for mahi fishing?
Morning through mid-day. DirtyBoat leaves the dock at Robbie's Marina around 7 AM, is on the grounds by 8:30, and the strongest bite runs from 9 AM to about 1 PM before the fish scatter under the midday sun. That is why our mahi trips are full 8-hour days: we fish the peak window and still have time to work a second area.
Can you catch mahi mahi in the Florida Keys in winter?
Occasionally, but it is not the target. Winter water in the Keys is cold and the mahi push south toward Cuba and Central America, so DirtyBoat's winter offshore trips chase sailfish, kingfish, and blackfin tuna instead. Mahi come back through Islamorada in April.
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Choosing your travel dates? Read our guide to when to catch mahi-mahi in the Florida Keys, then check the latest fishing reports for recent trips.