When mahi show up off Clearwater
Mahi-mahi fishing out of Clearwater happens offshore, on the longer trips. Boats leave Clearwater through Clearwater Pass, and every distance on this page is measured from there. Our mahi-mahi guide covers how the fish live and move. This page covers where you run and what you pass on the way. It doesn’t promise fish; it’s meant to help you decide where to look.
Deeper-water temperature
Reel Deal’s report cites temperature changes in deeper water as what draws mahi to this stretch, so that is the signal to plan around. For the Gulf-wide picture, see the Gulf mahi guide (see also the Gulf of Mexico region guide). Watch the OBS SST layer for those changes while you plan. Chart layers are not for navigation.
Reading CWBF1
The nearest buoy is NOAA NDBC station CWBF1 at Clearwater Beach, 27.978N 82.832W, which is also NOAA tide station 8726724. It reads conditions at the coast, not out where the deeper water is. Pull wind, wave height and period from the station as numbers, then check the official marine forecast for the offshore zone before you commit to the run.
Where boats run from Clearwater Pass
The named reefs and ledges off Clearwater sit in 20 to 55 ft. They are charted structure and waypoints along the run from the Pass. The mahi water is offshore, beyond them, on the longer trips. Clearwater Reef’s bearing comes from ReefsNwrecks.
| Name | Depth (ft) | Distance (mi) | Bearing from Clearwater Pass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sand Key Reef | 20 | 5.0 | 194 degrees |
| Clearwater Reef | 27-32 | 5.0 | 311 degrees |
| Dunedin Reef | 27-33 | ||
| Loggerhead Ledge | 40 | 9.4 | |
| Rube Alan Reef | 50 | 12.0 | 260 degrees |
| Veteran Reef | 45 | 12.8 | 300 degrees |
| Gregs Ledge | 55 | 13.8 | 289 degrees |
| Indian Shores Reef | 42 | 14.3 | 238 degrees |
Chart layers are not for navigation.
Inside 10 miles
Sand Key Reef and Clearwater Reef both sit 5.0 mi out, at 194 degrees and 311 degrees, one south of the line out of the Pass and one north. Dunedin Reef runs 27 to 33 ft. Loggerhead Ledge is 9.4 mi out in 40 ft.
10 to 15 miles out
Rube Alan sits 12.0 mi out at 260 degrees. Veteran is 12.8 mi at 300 degrees, Gregs Ledge 13.8 mi at 289 degrees, and Indian Shores 14.3 mi at 238 degrees. Depths run 42 to 55 ft here. The mahi trips run on past this structure, offshore.
How mahi are fished here
The local method is offshore trolling.
Trolling
You pull lines behind a moving boat across the offshore water. For general technique, see our offshore gamefish guides.
Outriggers
Reel Deal’s boats carry outriggers for offshore trolling.
Who fishes mahi out of Clearwater
Reel Deal Sportfishing out of Clearwater lists mahi-mahi. It runs Reel Deal and Reel Deal II, both 34 ft diesel sportfishers carrying outriggers.
FAQ: mahi-mahi fishing out of Clearwater
How far do boats run from Clearwater Pass for mahi?
Mahi trips run offshore, on the longer trips, past the named reefs and ledges that sit 5.0 to 14.3 mi out in 20 to 55 ft.
What drives when mahi show up off Clearwater?
Reel Deal’s report cites temperature changes in deeper water.
Which station should I check before running?
Check NOAA NDBC station CWBF1 at Clearwater Beach (27.978N 82.832W), which is also NOAA tide station 8726724. It reads conditions at the coast, not offshore, so check the official marine forecast as well.
How do locals fish for mahi here?
Locals fish by offshore trolling. Reel Deal’s 34 ft diesel sportfishers carry outriggers for it.
Where are the rules for mahi out of Clearwater?
Check the Florida regulations page before fishing. Federal dolphin and wahoo rules apply once you pass state jurisdiction.
