Mahi-mahi fishing out of Falmouth / Woods Hole runs June through November, and the fleet finds the fish in offshore and canyon water south of Cape Cod and Nantucket. Boats troll spreader bars and ballyhoo and watch for surface schools. The Falmouth / Woods Hole port page carries ramps, channels and conditions, so this page doesn’t repeat them. The mahi-mahi species guide covers biology, behavior and tackle basics.
When mahi-mahi are around Falmouth / Woods Hole
The window is long, and it matches the one the local fleet works.
Season window
Machaca Charters runs mahi daytrips June through November. That span lines up with the dolphinfish window in the broader Northeast season picture (see also the Atlantic Northeast offshore fishing guide), so plan around it.
Early and late season
June opens the window and November closes it. The fish move with the water, so where boats stop changes from trip to trip. Plan for a search rather than a fixed spot.
Where boats run from Falmouth / Woods Hole
The run starts in protected water and ends in open ocean. Landmarks near port help with orientation, but the fish aren’t there.
Getting out of port
Boats leave Falmouth Harbor and Woods Hole and cross Vineyard Sound. Before you go, read the NWS Vineyard Sound forecast for wind, wave height and period. Chart layers, including ours, are not for navigation.
Offshore and canyon water south of Cape Cod and Nantucket
This is the destination. The fleet targets mahi in offshore and canyon water south of Cape Cod and Nantucket.
Landmarks on the way out
These are shallow inshore references, 20 to 25 ft, that you pass or orient by. They are not mahi water.
- Port Hunter wreck, west end of Hedge Fence Shoal, 25 ft
- Hedge Fence Shoal, 20 ft, between Martha’s Vineyard and Falmouth
- Nobska Light rips and boulder field
- Stone Pier, Woods Hole
- Lucas Shoal and Middle Ground
How mahi-mahi are fished locally
The local spread is built to cover water until the crew finds fish.
Spreader bars
Trolling spreader bars is a standard local method for mahi.
Ballyhoo
Ballyhoo gets trolled alongside the bars.
Finding surface schools by sight
Crews locate surface schools visually. On mahi-mahi fishing out of Falmouth / Woods Hole, a good set of eyes on the bridge matters as much as the spread.
Who fishes for mahi-mahi out of Falmouth / Woods Hole
Three local charters list mahi-mahi:
- Castafari Sportfishing: 45 ft custom Jim Smith express. Capt. Damon Sacco.
- Machaca Charters: The Machaca. Capt. Willy Hatch with first mate Ryan.
- Tunacious Charters: Capt. Bill Manthorne.
FAQ: mahi-mahi fishing out of Falmouth / Woods Hole
When is the mahi-mahi season out of Falmouth / Woods Hole?
June through November, the daytrip season Machaca Charters runs for mahi. Early June and late November sit at the edges of the window, so expect more searching than in mid-season.
How far do boats run for mahi?
Boats run to offshore and canyon water south of Cape Cod and Nantucket. Check the official forecast for wind, wave height and period before you commit to the run, and let those numbers decide the day.
Do mahi hold on Hedge Fence or Nobska?
No. Those are shallow inshore landmarks: Hedge Fence Shoal is 20 ft and the Port Hunter wreck is 25 ft. Use them to orient on the way out. The fleet targets mahi offshore, in canyon water south of Cape Cod and Nantucket.
What methods work locally?
Boats troll spreader bars and ballyhoo, and crews locate surface schools by sight. Trolling covers water, and the visual search picks out the fish on top. Most trips combine both.
Which charters target mahi from this port?
Castafari Sportfishing (Capt. Damon Sacco), Machaca Charters (Capt. Willy Hatch) and Tunacious Charters (Capt. Bill Manthorne) list mahi-mahi. They are listed in no order of preference.
What else comes up on the same offshore run?
Tuna and other offshore species share this water. The offshore gamefish guides cover the wider offshore picture from this region.
