Face to face with one of the ocean’s most acrobatic gamefish, the Dolphin a.k.a. Mahi Mahi or Dorado. The Lady K has been catching a few of these schooling sized fish weighing up to 15 pounds this week by anglers letting out their lines or sight casting to them when a school appears at the boat.
This “bull” or male Dorado is distinguished by the broad, flat head and high dorsal “sail” or fin. This fish was taken on a medium-light 12 pound test spinning outfit using a 30 pound leader, circle hook and a chunk of sardine.
Happy Birthday! The birthday boy caught this “cow” or female Dorado during his birthday party aboard the Lady K. He caught this fish using one of the boat’s rods rigged with a sardine. This was the first fish caught and it brought a small school of fish to the boat during the battle, including the bull pictured above this photo.
The cow Dorado is characterized by its sloping head and smaller dorsal fin. They also don’t grow as large as the bulls which can exceed 80 pounds.
Dorado are very colorful fish and are excellent table fare making it a very common fish in the market or at restaurants. When a school of these fish approach the boat, start reeling your baits toward the boat to present the bait to the fish.
A Frigate bird circles above, a tell-tale sign that Dorado or other gamefish such as Sailfish, Wahoo and Marlin may be lurking under the cobalt blue ocean. These magnificent sea birds gracefully glide along and wait until any predatory fish start pushing baitfish, such as ballyhoo or flying fish, up to the surface. Once the baitfish is at the surface, the Frigate will swoop down to snatch a meal, quite often from the fish jaws!
Anglers wishing to target this wonderful gamefish should plan either a morning or afternoon trip. Other fish being taken during both trips have included Atlantic Sharpnose Sharks, Mutton Snapper, King Mackerel and Gray Triggerfish. Plan an outing today to see what surprises await aboard the Lady K.
