Mahi-mahi fishing out of Ocean City is an offshore summer fishery, worked by trolling 35 to 90 miles from the beach. Boats leave Ocean City, Maryland and run well beyond sight of land. Local listings call the fish mahi, dolphin and dolphinfish, and all three names refer to the same species.
When mahi are off Ocean City
Mahi are a summer fish off Ocean City. The timing sits inside the broader offshore season, which opens with other species and works toward dolphin.
- Season: summer
- Order of the offshore bite: shark first, then tuna, marlin, wahoo and dolphin
Summer
Summer is the season for mahi from this port. For the wider regional picture, see mahi-mahi across the Atlantic Northeast (see also the Atlantic Northeast region guide).
Later in the summer, after shark and tuna
Wrecker’s season runs shark first, then tuna, marlin, wahoo and dolphin later in the summer. Early-summer offshore trips center on shark and tuna, and dolphin join the mix later. The mahi-mahi species guide covers the biology.
How far boats run and where
Boats run 35 to 90 miles offshore for mahi from Ocean City. The grounds are offshore water, so the length of the run is the first thing to decide.
| Run | Distance | Listed by |
|---|---|---|
| Offshore, mahi listed | 35 to 90 miles | Spring Mix II |
35 to 90 miles offshore
Spring Mix II lists runs of 35 to 90 miles, with mahi among its listed species. The 90-mile end is the outer figure on that listing.
Boats built for the run
The charter boats that list this run are mostly 43 to 60 ft sportfishers. Their listed specs give some reference points:
- Moore Bills: 60 ft custom sportfisher, 30-knot cruising speed
- Wrecker: 57 ft, twin Cummins QSM 11 diesels
- Spring Mix II: 43 ft Carolina Express, twin 480 HP Cummins diesels
Compare those with your own boat’s cruise speed and tankage before planning a 90-mile run.
How mahi are fished here
Mahi out of Ocean City are caught by trolling, the same method used for the rest of the offshore day.
Trolling
Muff Diver lists dolphinfish among its offshore species, fished by trolling.
Part of the offshore mix
Mahi fit into a day that also targets shark, tuna, marlin and wahoo, following the order in Wrecker’s season. The offshore gamefish guides cover the other species you may share the water with.
Who fishes mahi out of Ocean City
Six charter operations list mahi-mahi out of Ocean City, and four tournaments include them.
Charter fleet
The charters below list mahi-mahi, with specs from their listings:
- Moore Bills Sport Fishing, Moore Bills: 60 ft custom sportfisher, 30-knot cruising speed
- Wrecker Sport Fishing, Wrecker: 57 ft, built from an Omie Tillett jig, twin Cummins QSM 11 diesels
- Spring Mix II: 43 ft Carolina Express (2003), twin 480 HP Cummins diesels
- My Cin: Topaz sportfisherman with tower
- Muff Diver Charters: docked at Ocean City Fishing Center
- Bahia Marina offshore charter fleet (Fish Tales): fleet of several boats
Tournaments
These Ocean City tournaments include mahi-mahi.
| Event | Usual month |
|---|---|
| Ocean City Marlin Club Franky Pettolina Heels & Reels | Usually July |
| Ocean City Tuna Tournament | Usually July |
| Captain Steve Harman’s Poor Girl’s Open | Usually August |
| White Marlin Open | Usually August |
FAQ about Mahi-mahi fishing out of Ocean City
When is mahi season?
Summer. Wrecker’s season runs shark first, then tuna, marlin, wahoo and dolphin later in the summer.
How far do you run?
35 to 90 miles offshore, per Spring Mix II.
How are they caught?
By trolling. Muff Diver lists dolphinfish among its offshore species.
Which tournaments include mahi?
The Ocean City Marlin Club Franky Pettolina Heels & Reels and the Ocean City Tuna Tournament, usually in July. Captain Steve Harman’s Poor Girl’s Open and the White Marlin Open, usually in August.
Which boats list mahi?
Moore Bills, Wrecker, Spring Mix II, My Cin, Muff Diver at Ocean City Fishing Center, and the Bahia Marina (Fish Tales) fleet.
