May Is For Dolphin (Mahi Mahi) Fishing Key West

Dolphin fishing Key West Deep sea fishing Key West for dolphin

May 14th 2018 – As I sit here in the soup of our first tropical rain event for this year my thoughts are on the blue waters of the Gulf Stream just south of Key West and how great May, June and July can be for great dolphin mahi mahi fishing. Once this rain lets up the South Easterly winds will prevail on an already super close Gulf Stream that will produce some great blue water deep sea fishing for dolphin, tuna, and quite possibly and anglers best shots at some marlin.

Deep Sea Fishing in May

Dolphin Mahi Mahi

Key West deep sea fishing for dolphin. Here’s me holding up a nice dolphin caught on board my 36 ft Yellowfin.

Just 5 miles South of Key West lies the reef line. Where the waters are shallow and the reef is visible to the naked dry eye. Venture South of that just a few miles and the depth starts to plummet making room for the vast amount of water that moves just South of Key West on our natural conveyor belt called the Gulf Stream. The “stream” as we call it carries all sorts of water from the Gulf Of Mexico, the Carribean Sea and points around South of the Florida Keys and toward Miami up the East Coast then offshore to the mid Atlantic and then off to Europe. Its a HUGE underwater river. Thats where the dolphin (mahi mahi) marlin, tuna and wahoo can be found.

In May we dont need to run far to get into some great deep sea fishing for dolphin and a shot at Marlin. 400 – 700 ft has been the range we have been doing well in and that is just 12 – 15 miles out total. An easy run in our 36 ft Yellowfin Center Console and comfortable run in any of our Key West deep sea fishing fleet sport fishing boats. Last week a couple deep sea fishing boats had some nice marlin on around the 300 lb range, but the rock star of May is our larger dolphin. Its not uncommon that someone boats a mahi that will be over 50 lbs just about every year and May or June is usually the month. May and June can hold the teenagers all day long without a long run.

Note: We call dolphin or Mahi in the 10 – 20 lb range.. Teenagers or Gaffers

Deep Sea Fishing Report

Last week before the rain our 36 ft Yellowfin that specializes in Key West deep sea fishing landed some nice dolphin in the 15 lb range on a 6 hour day. Thats a great eating fish and will put up a great fight to show anglers a great day on the water. We use light tackle for our dolphin fishing to maximize the fight for our anglers so the fun level meter is pegged. Trolling is the preferred method to catch larger dolphin this time of the year. We troll artificial baits and ballyhoo to entice dolphin to hit and give our anglers a thrill.

I expect that after this rain spell we will get into our more tropical climate here in Key West. South Easterly winds are best for dolphin fishing here out of Key West and we are forecast to have that for the next few weeks in a typical May weather pattern.

Deep Sea Fishing Charters

Booking a Key West deep sea fishing charter is easy. We have few options for you to chose from.

Deep Sea fishing boat key west

Deep Sea Fishing Boat

Option A. Book a sport fishing boat that has a mate and captain that carries up to 6 persons. These boats are quite comfortable with lots of fighting deck and places to fish with chairs to sit on. The mate does all the rigging, line setting and even helps you hook your fish. Our deep sea sport fishing boats range in size from 38 – 47 ft and prices can vary with the size of the boat. These boats are a little bit slower with a cruising speed of about 20 knots.

We recommend full day trips to maximize your fishing time on this type of boat. Full Day Deep Sea Fishing Rates start at $1200.00.

Yellowfin 36

Yellowfin 36 Center Console

Option B. Our Go Fast center consoles are super versatile in getting to where the fish are in a hurry. Outfitted the same way as our deep sea sport fishing boats there is generally only just a captain on board. This lends to being a more hands on experience for the anglers in setting lines, rigging baits and fighting fish for sure. Adding to the speed also we are able to be super versatile with the center consoles to mix up the days catch by stopping by the reef for a shot at some snappers or doing a stop in the depths for deep dropping. Our Center console is a 36 ft Yellowfin Center Console powered by 3 Mercury 350s. A Cruising speed of almost 40 mph makes less travel time for more fishing.

We recommend at least 6 hours on board this boat but full days are the best bet to get to the dolphin and stop at the reef. Full Day fishing rates start at $1200.00. 6 hour rates are $950.00.

Option C. Split or shared fishing charters are a great way to go if you are on a budget and just you or you and a friend. Some of the sport fishing boats offer a “per seat” charter rate. 6 hours of Key West deep sea fishing on board a boat that can carry 6 persons or less for 200.00 per person plus the tip to the mate. These trips are “captains choice” that means the captain fishes for whatever he thinks will work best for the day and the people on board. This does not always put you focused on the dolphin but is a great choice for those that want to get on the water and have a shot at bending a rod.

Give us a call with any of your questions about deep sea fishing, reef fishing, light tackle fishing or inshore fishing the flats and backcountry. A great two day fishing trip would include one day in the backcountry fishing for tarpon and one day deep sea fishing. Call us for more details..

Call Us.. 1-305-292-7212
Text Us..
1-786-847-3808

About Capt. Steven Lamp
Dr Catcher Is - Capt. Steven Lamp - Owner of Dream Catcher Charters is a veteran Key West fishing guide for flats fishing, deep sea fishing, wrecks and reef fishing, and fly fishing. An expert waterman and licensed captain since 1986. A Veteran of the United States Coast Guard Heavy Weather Search and Rescue, I.G.F.A. Certified Captain and Standing regional board member of The Florida Fishing Guides Association