Species guide · Virginia
Mahi-mahi fishing in Virginia
Coryphaena hippurus, a pelagic species also called dolphin, dolphinfish and dorado. Listed for the Mid-Atlantic region. Peak season, changing this week.
Right now it scores best in Coastal waters from Chincoteague to Parramore Island VA out 20 NM at 63.
Season now
Peak seasonSeason by month
From the Waterlands saltwater species research: when the fish are present and biting, not whether retention is open.
Mid-Atlantic
Peak season, changing this week- Jan: Not present
- Feb: Not present
- Mar: Not present
- Apr: Not present
- May: Not present
- Jun: Off season
- Jul: Shoulder season
- Aug: Peak season
- Sep: Peak season
- Oct: Off season
- Nov: Not present
- Dec: Not present
Peak: Aug to Sep. In season (shoulder or peak): Jul to Sep.
Research notes, Mid-Atlantic region
Summer fish in the Virginia to New York canyons and along offshore lobster-pot buoys and weedlines when Gulf Stream water pushes inshore.
Seasons and limits in these notes are background. The regulations below and the regulator’s own page govern.
Where it's scoring now · 1
Virginia bay systems ranked by the Waterlands engine's mahi-mahi score this hour.
Best window today 4-9 PM (69) · Best day Fri, Sep 18 at 7 PM (70) · 89 named spots
Not scored in this forecast: Chesapeake Bay from Little Creek VA to Cape Henry VA including the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, Chesapeake Bay from New Point Comfort to Little Creek VA, Chesapeake Bay from Smith Point to Windmill Point VA, Chesapeake Bay from Windmill Point to New Point Comfort VA, James River from Jamestown to the James River Bridge, James River from JRB to HRBT, Including the Elizabeth River, Rappahannock River from Urbanna to Windmill Point, Tidal Potomac from Cobb Island MD to Smith Point VA and York River.
How and where it feeds
- Water temperature
- Feeds from 68°F to 86°F, best between 74°F and 82°F.
- Water depth
- 100 to 10000 ft of water.
- Structure
- Bluewater, open water, ledge, canyon and bank, in that order of preference.
- Tide and current
- Prefers moving water, with light current.Tide stage is not a factor offshore. Mahi gather on floating sargassum weedlines, debris, buoys, FADs and current edges, so floating structure and warm clean water matter far more than tide.
- Light
- Some lift around dawn and dusk.
- Pressure
- Little response to pressure changes.
- Wind and sea limits
- 20 kt of wind and 6 ft of sea. The Waterlands engine scores hours down as conditions pass them.
Tackle and technique
Mahi feed near the surface along weedlines, floating debris, buoys and current edges offshore, in water from the low 70s to the low 80s. Troll ballyhoo or small skirted lures along the weed, and when a school comes up behind the boat keep one hooked fish in the water while you pitch cut bait or jigs to the rest. Look for birds working over weed and flotsam.
- Methods
- trolling, sight casting, pitching bait to schools, chumming
- Lures
- skirted ballyhoo rigs, small feathers, plastic squid, bucktail jigs, spoons
- Bait
- ballyhoo, cut squid, sardine or pilchard chunks, cut bonito
Regulations
Virginia Marine Resources Commission. Synced with VMRC Sep 17, 2026.
No reviewed mahi-mahi rule for Virginia is on file yet. Check with VMRC before you keep one.