dorado
Species Facts

Science Name: Coryphaena hippurus
Other Names: Dolphin; Dolphinfish; Mahi Mahi
Ideal Temp: 70 to 80
World Record: 88 lbs. Exuma, Bahamas
Environment: offshore
Techniques: trolling, casting, fly
Description

Bright greenish blue above, yellow on sides, with capability of flashing purple, chartreuse, and a wide range of other colors; body tapers sharply from head to tail; irregular blue or golden blotches scattered over sides; anterior profile of head on adult males is nearly vertical; head of females more sloping; the single dark dorsal fin extends from just behind the head to the tail; anal fin margin concave and extending from anus to tail.

Habitat
Dolphin seem to be attracted to floating objects in offshore waters. Boards, rope and other debris will likely hold dolphin. Off the southeastern United States they frequently congregate around sargassum, a brown alga, which serves as a hiding place and a source of food.

Feeding Habits
Many of the foods eaten by dolphin such as small fishes, crabs, and shrimps are found in floating mats of sargassum. Feeding characteristics of dolphin vary greatly. At times the dolphin is a voracious predator that pursues and captures fast swimming fish such as flyingfish, mackerels and juvenile dolphin. On other occasions it seems content merely to nibble on small crustaceans and insects that float on the surface in the weedlines. In addition to foods, a variety of items discarded at sea by man are consumed by dolphin. Small light bulbs, pieces of plastic wrappers, rope, and string have been removed from dolphin stomachs.

Tips for Fishing

Fishing Basics - Trolling is one of the most productive and my favorite method of catching dolphin.

My tackle choice is a 20# - 30# lever drag reel, a matched 5-1/2’ – 6’ stand-up rod and 20# – 30# mono line.

I like to troll natural baits such as ballyhoo rigged on #7 or #8 coffee colored stainless steel wire. One end of the wire will have a haywire twist to attach to the fishing line via snap swivel and the other end will have 7/0 or 8/0 hook attached using a haywire twist and pin rig. The ballyhoo may be trolled naked or with a skirt or skirted lure over its head. Trolling speed is a matter of how the baits look in the water. I have found that trolling 6 to 8 knots is best. In heavier seas travel down seas so the baits stay in the water better.

They can also be readily caught on artificial lures, feathers, spoons, etc.