Mahi Mahi gear

[MJMJ]

What rod and reel combos to us for Mahi Mahi

[Gerry Zagorski]

Nothing big needed some light 20 to 30 trolling gear is fine and a bit overkill but will land a schoolie bluefin if one comes to visit and or if you plan to troll some spreader bars which need a little more back bone of a rod. Other then that some medium action inshore spining reels for casting on the pots and you'll be fine.

Average fish is probably 5 to 10 pounds and the largest you'll likely run into is 20 pounds or so. Fishing with lighter tackle makes I t more fun but you you might as well be prepared for some bluefin should they show up.

[Capt. Lou]

What rod and reel combos to us for Mahi Mahi

If UR pot pickin 12-20 # spin rod with 15# mono or 20# braid with 20# fluoro top shot .
Trolling 12/20 class
As mentioned if schoolies r around that trolling gear is fine but larger tuna will need a little more expierance to hsndle but can easily be landed on #20 gear on private boats .

[Gerry Zagorski]

As far as reels and poles, I'm using the Avet LX on 7 foot Seeker rated for 20 (30) 50. Nice part about this set up is a I can also use it inshore for trolling bass and blues. The LX is rated 15 pounds at strike and 20 at full drag so more then enough for mahi or stripers and will also be enough for the occational school bluefin Tuna if they show up in your spread.

For the inshore fishery there really is no need for the big heavy gold bulky 30 or 50 class gear. The newer smaller reels with higher drag ratings and increased line capacity when you use braided line is the way to go. Just make sure you have a nice long top shot of 30 pound mono since you don't want to be leadering in a fish with your hands with braid. The Avet MX and JX would do the job as well.

Having said all this, you can probably get away with some of the gear you use to fish for stripers and blues and if you intend to troll with heavier rigs like spreader bars you might put those same reels on a little heavier rod. I like using bright colored yellow braid too since it makes it easier to see the lines in your trolling spread.

[bunker dunker]

2x what Gerry said.you have to use gear that will handle bigger fish while trolling inshore as sometimes they stray inshore.

[Gerry Zagorski]

2x what Gerry said.you have to use gear that will handle bigger fish while trolling inshore as sometimes they stray inshore.

Yep - that is the only reason to use heavier gear then you'd need for an average Mahi... You just never know and need to be prepared. I believe it was here on our site that someone reported catching a White Marlin in the Mudhole earlier this year. 20 to 30 pound gear is perfect for them too.

If you're sharking or targeting other larger Tuna like Longfin and Yellowfin then you should be using 30s and 50s.

[bunker dunker]

yes sir,marlin,tuna,cobia,dolphin and wahoo have all been caught close to home.always have a heavier outfit on board just in case.throwing baits at pots is one thing but trolling them can be a whole new ball game.

[Anthony]

What rod and reel combos to us for Mahi Mahi

will Shimano Charter Special TR-2000LD with 30 pound mono work?

[Gerry Zagorski]

Yes with 36 pounds of drag it should be fine however, it would not be my first choice since it has a level wind. Not fond of level winds because if a fish takes a good run and the level wind screws up there goes your fish. Level winds are also not that great for jigging or casting either.

[Anthony]

Yes with 36 pounds of drag it should be fine however, it would not be my first choice since it has a level wind. Not fond of level winds because if a fish takes a good run and the level wind screws up there goes your fish. Level winds are also not that great for jigging or casting either.

I used these for trolling king salmon on downriggers rods. I'd like to get 2 new rods for these reells for inshore trolling and jigging. Any suggestions?

[Gerry Zagorski]

Not sure what your budget is but a few things you want in a trolling rod for inshore. I'd say you'd want a minimum of 30 pound class and if you plan on trolling heavier stuff like spreader bars 50 would be better. The rods should have slick butts to make them easier to get out of the rod holders when a fish hits and a nice long fore grip for steadying the rod during the fight. Rollers guides are not needed and you don't want them if you also intend to use the same rod for jigging.

If you don't have outriggers and you plan to troll spreader bars a taller Rod in the 7 foot class is going to make them run better. You want your line to run at a steeper angle and higher up out of the water so they don't dig as much. If you have outriggers then the rod length is not as important unless you have an outboard, in which case a longer rod also helps since it makes it easier to clear the outboards when fighting a fish.

[Anthony]

Not sure what your budget is but a few things you want in a trolling rod for inshore. I'd say you'd want a minimum of 30 pound class and if you plan on trolling heavier stuff like spreader bars 50 would be better. The rods should have slick butts to make them easier to get out of the rod holders when a fish hits and a nice long fore grip for steadying the rod during the fight. Rollers guides are not needed and you don't want them if you also intend to use the same rod for jigging.

If you don't have outriggers and you plan to troll spreader bars a taller Rod in the 7 foot class is going to make them run better. You want your line to run at a steeper angle and higher up out of the water so they don't dig as much. If you have outriggers then the rod length is not as important unless you have an outboard, in which case a longer rod also helps since it makes it easier to clear the outboards when fighting a fish.

thanks for the info Gerry....

[MJMJ]

Thanks for the help. I'll be using spinning gear, so this sends me in the right direction.
Mike

[Gerry Zagorski]

Thanks for the help. I'll be using spinning gear, so this sends me in the right direction.
Mike

Mike - Just to clarify, spinning gear is fine for casting to Mahi but is not generally used for trolling. If you intend to use spinning gear for casting to them, anything you use for Stripers or Blues will do.

Trolling is a whole different ball game that spinner outfits are generally not well suited for, for 2 reasons:

1) Spinning pole tips are usually light. They are designed that way because the give and snap back of the pole tip helps launch the lure when you are casting. That same light tip works against you when trolling since you don't want the tip to give as much. You want a firm tip that is not going to give against the weight of the lure or the seas which will make your lures runs better. This is even more important when trolling spreader bars because the give of the pole tip can make them more prone to digging into the water and you don't want that.
2) Spinning reels are not generally well suited, not because they lack the line or drag capacity, but because you can't adjust your line out tension in free spool. You are either fishing with the bail open or closed and there is nothing in between. That is why most use lever drag reels for trolling.... You have fine adjustment between free spool and the pre set drag in the strike position. When trolling, you adjust the line out just tight enough that the lure is not taking any line out. When you get a fish, it allows him to take the lure and run a bit and then you move the reel up to strike at the pre set drag setting to set the hook and fight the fish... This is not possible with a spinning reel unless you have the bait caster type spinner and even then, the bait cast drag setting might not be strong enough to hold against a heavy trolled lure.

A little on pre setting your drags.... You generally want to pre set your drag to 25 - 30 % of the breaking pound test of the line you are fishing. As an example, if you are fishing 30 pound test you'd want your drag set to 7.5 to 9 pounds. You do this with a spring scale... When your drag is set correctly, the drag will allow you to start stripping line of the reel when the scale reads between 7.5 and 9 pounds.... Kind of hard to explain so here is a video...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYDfIM3it60

All this being said, this is not as critical when fishing for Mahi, but if Mr Tuna happens to show up, you want to give yourself the best chance possible to fight and land the fish.

Still chomping at the bit to get out there....And if you can't get out the next best thing is talking about it ;)

[dfish28]

I'm hoping we get a chance when this tropical stuff moves through, not too hopeful though, I talk to my lobster buds out there in the hole and all I hear it's it's still all dirty and nothing on the pots... I won't post the pic again from last year... But when I heard the water and fish were in last year we went out and found some nice mahi... Lotta babies to not talk about but got the one at 28... Again... At 12 miles out... I am so waiting! Otherwise I think I'm fishing for one tog a day...possibly putting some pirate fish in the fuel tank...:confused: