Mahi-mahi fishing out of Apalachicola
Mahi-mahi fishing out of Apalachicola runs late spring to early fall, in federal waters 10 to 55 miles off Cape St. George and St. George Island. This guide covers the named reefs and towers with IDs and depths, how boats fish the grounds, which charters list mahi, and which station to check before you run.
When mahi-mahi are off Apalachicola
According to FishingBooker, mahi-mahi are off Apalachicola from late spring to early fall. That is a seasonal window rather than a fixed calendar. For Gulf-wide timing and the regional picture beyond this port, see mahi-mahi fishing in the Gulf of Mexico (see also the Gulf of Mexico offshore fishing guide).
Where boats run for mahi out of Apalachicola
The grounds sit offshore, well past the bay and the nearshore reefs. The names, codes and listed depths below give you waypoints to cross-check before you leave the dock.
Cape St. George and St. George Island grounds
Bigfish SGI fishes federal waters 10 to 55 miles out, on offshore grounds off Cape St. George and St. George Island. Because the whole range is in federal waters, the federal rules in the regulations section apply.
Named reefs and towers
These are the named structures near Apalachicola, with reference codes that follow the Apalachicola Artificial Reef Association listings.
| Name | ID | Depth or listing note |
|---|---|---|
| K Tower | FR0007 | 60 ft |
| City of Apalachicola East | FR0015 | 78 ft |
| Yamaha Reef Addition | FR0030 | 85 ft |
| S Tower | FR0005 | Listed in the AARA Franklin reef area |
| Buddy Ward Memorial Reef | A4N, A6S | Two listed site codes |
You can view the listed depths against the Chart Contours layer, but chart layers are not for navigation. Use the codes to cross-check waypoints against the listings.
How mahi are fished here
Trolling is the local method, and the charters below are examples of the boats that work these waters.
Trolling offshore
Bigfish SGI runs an offshore trolling trip that targets several pelagic species. The other pelagics caught on the same troll are covered in our offshore gamefish guides. Rigging, spreads and how mahi relate to floating cover are in our mahi-mahi fishing guide.
Charters that list mahi-mahi
Two Apalachicola charters list mahi-mahi:
- Bigfish SGI: Captain Clint Taylor, owner and operator. Fishes federal waters 10 to 55 miles out.
- Nauti Buoy Charter’s: Captain Jeremy Willoughby. Runs a 21-foot Parker center console with a 175hp Yamaha.
Reading conditions before the run
Check the numbers the night before and again at the dock.
NOAA station APCF1
NOAA station APCF1 (station 8728690) sits at 29.724 N, 84.980 W, at Apalachicola. Read these three:
- Wind
- Wave height
- Wave period
What the station does not see
APCF1 reads conditions at the coast in Apalachicola, not on the grounds 10 to 55 miles out. For offshore numbers, use the official marine forecast, which you can reach from the station page.
FAQ about mahi-mahi fishing out of Apalachicola
When is mahi-mahi season in Apalachicola?
Per FishingBooker, mahi-mahi are off Apalachicola from late spring to early fall. It is a seasonal window, not a fixed calendar.
How far offshore do boats run for mahi out of Apalachicola?
Bigfish SGI fishes federal waters 10 to 55 miles out. The grounds lie off Cape St. George and St. George Island.
What named reefs and towers are near Apalachicola?
The named structures are K Tower (FR0007) at 60 ft, City of Apalachicola East (FR0015) at 78 ft, Yamaha Reef Addition (FR0030) at 85 ft, S Tower (FR0005), and Buddy Ward Memorial Reef (A4N, A6S).
Which NOAA station covers Apalachicola?
APCF1, station 8728690, at 29.724 N, 84.980 W. It reads the coast, not the offshore grounds. Check wind, wave height and wave period, then the official marine forecast.
Which charters list mahi-mahi out of Apalachicola?
Bigfish SGI, run by Captain Clint Taylor, and Nauti Buoy Charter’s, run by Captain Jeremy Willoughby on a 21-foot Parker center console.
