When mahi are off New London / Waterford
Mahi-mahi, or dolphinfish, are a warm-water summer visitor off this port, so timing matters most. Two local charters publish their windows, and those are the starting point for planning a mahi-mahi trip out of New London / Waterford. The New London / Waterford port guide covers the harbor, ramps and the water you leave through.
Season by operator
The two operators’ windows differ slightly.
| Operator | Season window they list |
|---|---|
| Keepin’ It Reel Sportfishing | August into early fall, while water stays warm |
| Lucky Strike Charters | July to September (marlin and mahi-mahi schedule) |
Both windows cover August and September.
Water temperature sets the end
The season ends when the water cools. Keepin’ It Reel ties its window to the water staying warm. For the regional picture of why the fish arrive in summer and leave as temperatures drop, see mahi-mahi fishing in the Atlantic Northeast (see also the Atlantic Northeast region guide). OBS SST shows where the warm water sits.
Where boats run from New London
Mahi-mahi here are fished on offshore grounds reached from New London. The run starts in eastern Long Island Sound, and a few named features mark the way out. These are landmarks you pass and work around on the route; none of them is a mahi-mahi spot.
- The Race: the gateway out of eastern Long Island Sound
- Bartlett Reef and The Spindle: a reef and the navigational aid on its rock pile
- Watch Hill reefs: east of port
- Black Point: west of port
Out through The Race
The Race is the gateway out of eastern Long Island Sound toward the offshore grounds. Plan the crossing around the tide, and check the NWS marine forecast for wind and wave numbers before leaving the dock. Chart layers are not for navigation. For approaches, channels and currents, read the NOAA Coast Pilot chapter.
Bartlett Reef and The Spindle
The Spindle is the navigational aid on the rock pile at the south end of Bartlett Reef. Boats leaving New London pass it and use it as a position reference.
Watch Hill reefs and Black Point
Watch Hill reefs lie to the east and Black Point to the west, flanking the water near port.
How it’s fished
Rigging and tactics are covered in the mahi-mahi fishing guide.
Who fishes mahi out of this port
Two local charters list mahi-mahi.
Keepin’ It Reel Sportfishing
Keepin’ It Reel Sportfishing lists mahi-mahi from August into early fall, while the water stays warm.
Lucky Strike Charters
Lucky Strike Charters runs a marlin and mahi-mahi schedule from July to September. See the Lucky Strike Charters schedule for its trips.
FAQ: mahi-mahi fishing out of New London / Waterford
Are there mahi-mahi off New London, CT?
Yes. Keepin’ It Reel Sportfishing and Lucky Strike Charters both list mahi-mahi as a summer offshore species reached from New London. They are fished on offshore grounds, and no trip is a guarantee.
When is mahi season out of New London / Waterford?
Keepin’ It Reel lists August into early fall, while the water stays warm. Lucky Strike lists July to September. Both windows cover August and September.
Are mahi-mahi in Long Island Sound?
Boats run out of eastern Long Island Sound, through The Race, to the offshore grounds where mahi-mahi are fished. Those grounds are offshore, outside the Sound itself.
Can I book a mahi charter in New London?
Yes. Keepin’ It Reel Sportfishing and Lucky Strike Charters both list mahi-mahi.
What else is caught on the same offshore trips?
Lucky Strike pairs marlin with mahi-mahi on its schedule. For other species fished offshore, see the coastal and offshore gamefish guides.
