When mahi-mahi are off Cape May
Mahi-mahi fishing out of Cape May runs from late spring into fall, on warm offshore water. For the biology of the fish and general tactics, see mahi-mahi biology and general tactics. For the inlet, ramps and marinas, see the page for Cape May. This page covers the water offshore of the port.
Season window
Two local sources give slightly different windows:
- JP Charters: late spring through early fall.
- Saltwater Pros: June through October offshore.
Summer falls inside both windows. The fish arrive with warm water each year, and the same timing shows up across the wider Mid-Atlantic and Northeast pattern (see also the Atlantic Northeast fishing guide).
Late season
Saltwater Pros reports that the mahi bite holds through mid-October.
Where boats run
Boats look for weed lines, floating debris and temperature breaks. Mahi-mahi stay on this kind of moving structure much more reliably than on fixed bottom. A weed line here means a line of floating sargassum.
What holds them
Three targets matter offshore of Cape May:
- Weed lines of sargassum
- Floating debris
- Temperature breaks
All three move, so the grounds below are places to start looking, and fish are not guaranteed at any of them. OBS SST shows where temperature breaks set up, and Chart Contours shows the 100 and 300 ft lines. Chart layers are not for navigation.
Depth
JP Charters places mahi in 100 to 300 ft of water. A weed line or break inside that band is the place to work.
Distance
Saltwater Pros puts Baltimore Canyon about 65 miles out.
Grounds and structure near Cape May
These are the named grounds on the way out and offshore, listed nearest to farthest.
| Name | Type | Distance/Depth |
|---|---|---|
| Cape May Artificial Reef | Artificial reef | About 8.5 nautical miles off Cape May |
| Cape May Rips | Shoals | 30 ft |
| Wilmington Canyon | Canyon | |
| Baltimore Canyon | Canyon | About 65 miles out |
| Poorman’s Canyon | Canyon | |
| Spencer Canyon | Canyon |
Cape May Artificial Reef
The reef sits about 8.5 nautical miles off Cape May. It is named local structure and a landmark on the way out.
Cape May Rips
The Rips include the Eph, Prissy Wicks, Somer, North, Gunmount, Round, Overfalls and Middle shoals. They sit at 30 ft, well inside the 100 to 300 ft band that boats work for mahi-mahi.
The canyons
Wilmington, Baltimore, Poorman’s and Spencer are the named canyons. Only Baltimore has a distance figure here, about 65 miles per Saltwater Pros. The 100 to 300 ft water and the canyon grounds are where the mahi-mahi targets above come together.
How mahi are fished out of Cape May
The same grounds hold tuna, and tournament boats target several species at once. For other offshore gamefish out of this region, see the gamefish guides.
Trolling
Boats troll to locate fish along weed lines, debris and breaks.
Casting to schools
Once a school is found, boats cast to it. JP Charters notes that mahi school, so check for more fish after one is hooked.
Tackle
Saltwater Pros notes that boats use lighter gear than for tuna.
Who fishes for mahi out of Cape May
These Cape May charters list mahi-mahi and are one way to see the grounds before running your own boat.
Charters
- Common Sense Sportfishing
- JP Charters: boat listed with twin 350 hp Mercury engines and a 6-guest capacity
- Hook N Cook Sport Fishing
- Legal Limit Charters: Captain T.J. sails from Utsch’s Marina
- 16-hour canyons offshore trip: Captain Mark, 56 years of experience
Tournaments
Events that fish out of Cape May, with their usual months:
- Cape May Marlin Tournament: usually July
- July Jackpot: usually July
- School’s Out Tuna Tournament: usually June
- South Jersey Yacht Sales Offshore Showdown: usually July
FAQ: mahi-mahi fishing out of Cape May
What months are best for mahi-mahi off Cape May?
JP Charters gives late spring through early fall. Saltwater Pros gives June through October, with the bite holding through mid-October. The fish is also called dolphinfish.
What depth do boats fish for mahi?
JP Charters places them in 100 to 300 ft. In that water, boats look for weed lines, floating debris and temperature breaks.
How far is Baltimore Canyon from Cape May?
Saltwater Pros puts Baltimore Canyon about 65 miles out.
What gear do Cape May boats use for mahi?
Boats troll and cast. Saltwater Pros notes that they use lighter gear than for tuna.
What should you do after the first mahi is hooked?
Look for more fish. Mahi school, per JP Charters, so cast to the school once you find it.
