Mahi setup

[PaBeerGuy]

Heading out on a ns partyboat out of PP for tile this Thursday night/Friday and was thinking I should bring a setup for mahi as often times they show up around the boat when we're out there. What do I need to use to catch some of these guys?

[Gerry Zagorski]

Anything you'd use for Stripers would be fine. You could even get away with a heavier Fluke set up. Spinner might be a better choice over conventional since you will likely be casting to them.

[PaBeerGuy]

Originally Posted by Gerry Zagorski

Anything you'd use for Stripers would be fine. You could even get away with a heavier Fluke set up. Spinner might be a better choice over conventional since you will likely be casting to them.

Artificials for terminal gear? bucktails?

[Gerry Zagorski]

They will hit just about anything ... A bucktail with a piece of squid is fine and they are not line shy so you don't really even need to use a leader. Only reason you might want to use a leader would be if your main line is braid, a top shot of mono will make it easier for the mate to leader and gaff the fish.

[Capt. Lou]

7' or 7,6 spin med 6 x 15
10# mono
mono tie direct
Buck tails 1/4 to 3/4
Plastic swim baits
Sm metal 1/4 to. 1oz
Cast out let sink jig or reel !
Sometimes moderate retrieve will get the hits other days
U can rip
Bait # 4 steelhead type hook like gold
Rubber core size as needed , go light for slow sink
Bunker eyes work very well at times !
Watch what's happening match & u will catch

[Gerry Zagorski]

Bunker eyes Capt Lou?? You got my attention on that one. Do tell us more please.

One other thing PA.... If you do hook one leave it in the water since often times other Mahi will come and check the hooked one out and you'll have a shot at them as well.

[Dino]

If you want to make them bite in the party boat lights... tie on a small 1oz spro jig and tip it with a piece of fresh squid. keep it small.. 2 inch strip half inch wide... 1 oz jig. it looks just like a tiny squid to them and they cant swim past it. ive tried it all and that set up cant be matched.. if they see it they just eat it.. white or pink colored spro i use but makes no diff.. the only thing you can do to imrpove on that is add a trailer hook of some sort because they sometimes nip at the back of the bait even when they are eating the chunks well.

[Dino]

Originally Posted by Capt. Lou

7' or 7,6 spin med 6 x 15
10# mono
mono tie direct
Buck tails 1/4 to 3/4
Plastic swim baits
Sm metal 1/4 to. 1oz
Cast out let sink jig or reel !
Sometimes moderate retrieve will get the hits other days
U can rip
Bait # 4 steelhead type hook like gold
Rubber core size as needed , go light for slow sink
Bunker eyes work very well at times !
Watch what's happening match & u will catch

well said ... definitely need a leader they can actually be quite line shy... especially when they are under the head boat and 20 guys are clunking them on the head with big bulky lures tied direct to the braid. go finesse, small spo jig and you'll catch 10 if they come under the boat before the guy up the rail from you lands 1

[Pauls1976]

I use spinning gear all the time when targeting Mahi, how heavy of gear generally depends on how big the fish are. Since you will be on a head boat, I would use something heavy enough that will allow you to hike the fish over the rail. While there are always bigger ones, most of the "Bailer's" are 4-6lbs, they will gaff any bigger than that in my experience.

As far as lures, they love bucktails (my favorite color for them is yellow or chartreuse), I have also had good luck on Ava 17's and 27's. I would also have a rig or two ready to throw some meat on and drift out.

[nutleysigns]

they will hit Anything