The Game fish Dorado (Mahi Mahi) and how to fish for them.



Posted: Thursday, June 12, 2008

by
JustSportfishing.com

The Dorado Species overview

The Dorado, also known as the Dolphin fish and the Mahi Mahi (Hawaiian for strong strong), is found in tropical and subtropical waters of all oceans . They are found in the first 250 feet of water with temperatures between 21 and 30 degrees Centigrade. (69F – 86F). Dorado have a lifespan of 4 to 5 years. Catches average 7 to 13 kg (15 to 28 pounds). They seldom exceed 15 kg (33 pounds), and any Dorado over 18 kg (39 pounds) is exceptional.

The Dorado have distinguishing colors: golden on the sides, bright blues and greens on the sides and back. Mature males also have prominent foreheads protruding well above the body. Females have a rounded head. The males and female have similar shaped bodies except for their heads. Females are usually smaller than the males.

Scientific overview

The Dorado is a member of the Coryphaenidae ( Coryphaena hippurus ) Family. It is found in tropical and subtropical waters of all oceans warmer than 68 degrees Fahrenheit between 46 degrees north to 38 degrees south latitude. Blue marlin, black marlin, porpoises, sailfish, sharks, swordfish, and yellow fin tuna prey on the Dorado. The Dorado is a very fast growing fish with a life span of four to five years. Their diet consists of other small fishes like sardines, flying fish, mackerel and Squid. They grow incredibly fast and have large appetites. At one year of age they can reach 6 lbs. And by two years be over 20 lbs. Once the fish become adults they spawn in the open ocean every six weeks and broadcast about 400,000 eggs. The eggs, which are about the size of a pinhead, hatch in only 60 hours .

Fishing for Dorado T he world record for a Sport caught Dorado is 87 lbs. But most are under 30 lbs. and measure between 34 to 55 inches. They are an aggressive fish that when hooked can have bursts of speed reaching 50 mph. They are also known, when hooked, to be very acrobatic at the surface jumping many times before being brought to the boat. They like to linger under floating patches of seaweed or other floating objects. Their curiosity also attracts their schools to boats, which often results in multiple hookups.

You can catch Dorado by trolling dead Mullet, Mackerel or Squid. Trolling strip baits, often in combination with plastic squid. Trolling smaller lures, konaheads, minnows and poppers. Drifting with small live bait, often with chum. Some fisherman also spincast and flyfish for Dorado.

A typical tackle setup for Dorado fishing is a 6 ft. stand up rod with a 30lb. lever drag fishing reel. Spool up with 20lb. to 30lb. mono line using an offshore swivel knot to tie a barrel swivel to the end of the line. Use a 60lbs mono leader (not the same as mono line) measuring 6 ft. to 8 ft. tied with a clinch knot to the swivel. With a Palomar knot tie a 7/0 hook rigged with a Mackerel to the other end of the leader. Information on how to tie these fishing knots is available at http://www.justsportfishing.com/page6june08 . Ralph Martens editor www.JustSportfishing.com .

Photos provided by Captain Greg “Hoppo" Hopping Find him on the web at www.fishsamoa.com .



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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)
» left by JL
from US 3 years 240 days ago.
That is one big fish! I have never had the opportunity to do this type of fishing, but it looks like fun!
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