When mahi show up off Madeira Beach
Mahi-mahi fishing out of Madeira Beach means running past the nearshore reefs to about 120 to 150+ ft. Every run starts at John’s Pass, covered on the Madeira Beach port page. This guide covers the depth target, the named grounds, waypoints, the local trolling method and the charters that list mahi.
July on trips to 120 ft
Papen lists mahi among the pelagics that show on July trips to 120 ft or more. That is the only seasonal data point for this port. For the season across the rest of the Gulf, see the wider Gulf picture (see also the Gulf of Mexico region guide).
Where boats run from John’s Pass
The depth band is 120 to 150+ ft. The grounds stretch from offshore trolling water at 150 ft or more out to the Florida Middle Grounds on Hubbard’s 39-hour trip.
Trolling grounds at 150 ft and beyond
Offshore trolling grounds sit at 150 ft or more, and Hubbard’s 10-hour catch list includes mahi. The same water holds other offshore gamefish.
The Elbow
The Elbow is a ground boats run to. The 120 to 250 ft figure is the depth range of Hubbard’s trips and is not a measured depth for the Elbow.
The Middle Grounds
Hubbard’s 39-hour trip reaches the Florida Middle Grounds, 100 to 150 miles offshore, and its catch list includes mahi. The 120 to 250 ft figure is a trip range. The choice comes down to the 150 ft trolling water or a 39-hour reach to the Middle Grounds.
Grounds and structure between the pass and blue water
The nearshore reefs sit in 25 to 33 ft, while mahi water starts around 120 ft. Treat these reefs as waypoints and landmarks on the run rather than as mahi grounds.
John’s Pass jetty and bridge
The jetty and bridge sit at the pass and are the first landmark on every run.
Nearshore artificial reefs
| Reef | Depth (ft) | FWC coordinates |
|---|---|---|
| Madeira Reef (Madeira Beach Reef) | 29-32 | 27 46.3 N, 82 54.9 W |
| Treasure Island Reef | 29-33 | 27 44.5 N, 82 52.9 W |
| St. Pete Beach Reef | 25 | 27 40.6 N, 82 51.8 W |
| Clearwater Reef | 27-32 |
The Madeira and Treasure Island reefs are concrete culverts. Coordinates are in degrees and decimal minutes, as FWC publishes them. Load these as waypoints and check them against Chart Contours. Our chart layers are not for navigation.
How mahi are fished locally
Find the water first, then troll. The mahi-mahi fishing guide covers rigging and behavior. What follows is what local boats do.
Small Billy Baits
Local boats troll small Billy Baits behind the boat, running them through water that shows the signs below.
What to look for
Look for these on the water:
- Rips
- Current eddies
- Color or temperature changes
- Bait
None of these guarantee mahi. They indicate where to put the lures first.
Who fishes for mahi out of Madeira Beach
Madeira Beach charters that list mahi show how local boats work the water, which is useful to see before you run your own.
Hubbard’s Marina
Hubbard’s Marina names Capt. Dylan Hubbard on its pages. Its 10-hour and 39-hour catch lists include mahi, and the 39-hour trip reaches the Middle Grounds, 100 to 150 miles offshore.
Bent Charters
A photo caption on the site of Bent Charters out of Madeira Beach shows a mahi jumping offshore.
FAQ
How deep do boats fish for mahi off Madeira Beach?
Mahi-mahi fishing out of Madeira Beach happens in about 120 to 150+ ft, with trolling grounds at 150 ft or more. Papen lists mahi on July trips to 120 ft or more. The nearshore reefs, in 25 to 33 ft, are not mahi water.
How far is the Middle Grounds from John’s Pass?
The Middle Grounds are 100 to 150 miles offshore, reached on Hubbard’s 39-hour trip, whose catch list includes mahi. The 120 to 250 ft figure is that trip’s range and not a measured depth for the grounds.
What lure do local boats troll for mahi?
Local boats troll small Billy Baits behind the boat. Pair the lure with the surface signs: rips, current eddies, color or temperature changes and bait.
What signs point to mahi offshore here?
Look for rips, current eddies, color or temperature changes, and bait, in 120 to 150+ ft. These help narrow where to troll but do not guarantee fish.
Which Madeira Beach charters list mahi?
Hubbard’s Marina names Capt. Dylan Hubbard, and its 10-hour and 39-hour catch lists include mahi. Bent Charters has a photo caption showing a mahi jumping offshore.
