Mahi-mahi fishing out of Galveston is a bluewater run. Boats work buoys, logs and weed lines from the wrecks and rigs 30 to 60 mi out, then push to 60 to 75 mi and beyond, toward the Flower Garden Banks. NDBC 42035 is the nearest buoy to check before you go. This guide covers the port-level picture. For biology and general tactics, see our mahi-mahi fishing guide, and for the wider picture, read about mahi-mahi across the Gulf of Mexico (see also the Gulf of Mexico offshore fishing guide).
When mahi are off Galveston
Two local operators give two windows. Get Hooked puts the season at late spring through early fall. Galveston Offshore puts it at summer to fall. Summer into fall is where they overlap, so that is the window to plan around.
| Source | Season window |
|---|---|
| Get Hooked | Late spring through early fall |
| Galveston Offshore | Summer to fall |
How far boats run for mahi-mahi out of Galveston
Just Cast runs 60 to 75 mi to bluewater, which is the figure to use for a private boat.
Leaving the port
Boats leave through the Galveston jetties, at the entrance channel: the north jetty at Bolivar and the south jetty at Galveston Island. For inlet, ramp and marina detail, see the Galveston port guide. The 24 to 28 ft depth along the jetties is where bull reds were taken, not mahi.
The distance ladder
Work outward in steps:
- 30 to 60 mi: wrecks and rigs.
- 60 to 75 mi: bluewater, per Just Cast.
- 90 to 110 mi: the Flower Garden Banks, in 200 to 1000+ ft, per Get Hooked.
- 100 to 130 mi: the Nansen rig, the far marker for yellowfin night fishing. For where yellowfin come up there, see other offshore gamefish.
The Cerveza rig lies due south of the jetties. Big Man’s and Kate’s nearshore reefs sit roughly 20 mi southwest of the jetties. Both are local structure, closer in than the bluewater run.
| Ground | Distance | Depth | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galveston jetties | Entrance channel; north jetty at Bolivar, south at Galveston Island | ||
| Big Man’s / Kate’s Nearshore Reefs | Roughly 20 mi SW of the jetties | Nearshore structure | |
| Cerveza rig | Due south of the jetties | Named rig | |
| Wrecks and rigs | 30 to 60 mi | Structure zone | |
| Bluewater | 60 to 75 mi (Just Cast) | Buoys, logs, weed lines | |
| Flower Garden Banks | 90 to 110 mi (Get Hooked) | 200 to 1000+ ft | Banks |
| Nansen rig | 100 to 130 mi | Yellowfin night fishing |
Structure that holds them, and how it is fished locally
Mahi hold on buoys, logs and weed lines, so the job is to find the floating structure and fish it.
Buoys, logs and weed lines
Floating structure is the target from the rigs out to bluewater. Run the line, check each piece you pass, and look along the edges of the weed.
Trolling
Trolling is the first local method. It covers the water between the rigs and the floating structure, so you are searching as you travel.
Weedline fishing
Weedline fishing is the second local method, and it means working the weed lines where mahi hold.
Reading NDBC 42035
NDBC Station 42035 data comes from a buoy 22 NM east of Galveston at 29.235 N 94.410 W. It reports wind, wave height and period as numbers.
The buoy sits inshore of the 60 to 75 mi grounds and the Banks, so it tells you about the run out and not about the bluewater itself. Pair it with the Houston/Galveston marine forecast and treat the figures as readings from that location only.
Before the run, mark rigs and edges on Chart Contours and OBS SST. Chart layers are not for navigation.
Who fishes them
These Galveston charters list mahi-mahi:
- Galveston Offshore Fishing: Capt. Shannon LaBauve, 31 ft Oceanmaster Half Time.
- Get Hooked Charters (Galveston Fishing Adventures)
- Galveston Sea Ventures: Capt. Shane.
- Just Cast Charters: 31 ft Ocean.
- Texas Deep Sea Fishing Charters: 33 ft Contender. Runs from Galveston and Freeport.
FAQ: mahi-mahi out of Galveston
When is mahi season out of Galveston?
Get Hooked puts the season at late spring through early fall. Galveston Offshore puts it at summer to fall.
How far do you run for mahi-mahi fishing out of Galveston?
Wrecks and rigs sit at 30 to 60 mi. Bluewater sits at 60 to 75 mi, per Just Cast.
Where do mahi hold?
On buoys, logs and weed lines. Locals fish them by trolling and weedline fishing.
Which buoy should I check?
NDBC 42035, 22 NM east of Galveston. Read wind, wave height and period. It sits inshore of the bluewater grounds.
Which Galveston charters list mahi?
Galveston Offshore Fishing, Get Hooked Charters, Galveston Sea Ventures, Just Cast Charters and Texas Deep Sea Fishing Charters. Texas Deep Sea also runs from Freeport.
