Mahi Mahi Fishing Charters in Mauritius

Why mahi mahi are a good first offshore fish

Mauritius sits inside a coral reef, and outside it the water turns deep blue within minutes of the pass. Mahi mahi live in that open water, near the surface, and gather under anything that floats: weed lines, logs and the fish aggregating devices, or FADs, that are moored off the coast. That makes them a fish the crew can look for, rather than one you simply hope passes the boat.

Most mahi are caught trolling: the boat runs a spread of lures behind it and the crew watches the rods. When a fish takes, the crew hands you the rod. A mahi fights hard for its size, jumps, and flashes green, blue and gold in the water, which is why they are a favourite with families and first timers. When one is hooked, others often follow it to the boat, so a school can mean several fish in a few minutes. On some boats the crew will then switch to light spinning rods and let you cast to them.

They are also a fine fish to eat. Whether you take any home depends on the boat: on many Mauritius charters the catch stays with the crew. Our guide on who keeps the fish on a Mauritius charter explains the usual arrangements, so you can ask before you book.

Which boat for mahi mahi

Mahi mahi turn up on almost every offshore trip from the north-west coast, so the choice is more about the kind of day you want. A few boats that say something specific:

• Last Cast in Grand Baie is a Baymaster 215 for small groups of two to four, run by Captain Belon and his first mate Pravin. They fish tuna schools, marlin grounds and FADs, with trolling, jigging and popping gear on board, and offer half day, full day and sunset trips.
• Fishing on Ivan in Trou-aux-Biches is a 36 foot boat with room for six, a toilet and a fighting chair. Captain Sebastian shapes trips of 4 to 9 hours around what you ask for, names mahi mahi among the main targets, and welcomes children.
• Flying Kiss in Pointe aux Piments leaves at 5:30 and is back around midday. The crew lists dorado first among its fish, alongside tuna and marlin, and the boat has a toilet and a shower.
• Baywatch in Trou-aux-Biches runs a six hour morning, out at 6 and back around noon, trolling and spinning offshore. Children are welcome and catch and release is welcome too.
• Full Day Trip, Big Game Fishing from Grand Baie is the long option: medium tackle for the smaller game fish, Tiagra 30 and 50 reels for the big ones, and a custom made fighting chair.

The rest of the boats on this page, most of them in Trou-aux-Biches and Grand Baie, troll the same water and catch mahi the same way.

When to come

Mahi mahi are a warm water fish, and in Mauritius they are most plentiful in the warm months, with the best of it roughly from November to February. The same season brings blue marlin, and wahoo and yellowfin tuna share the same spread, so a mahi trip is never only about one fish. Go in the morning: the sea is calmest before the trade wind builds, which is why most boats leave between 5:30 and 7. Our guide to the best time of day for a fishing trip in Mauritius explains why.

What to ask before you book

• Do you fish the FADs? Mahi gather under floating objects, so a crew that knows where they are moored has a head start.
• Can we cast if we find a school? If you like to fish actively, ask whether the boat carries spinning rods as well as trolling gear.
• Do we keep any fish? Agree it before the trip, especially if you hope to have your catch cooked.
• Bringing children or a nervous sailor? Offshore water moves more than the lagoon. Our guides on a Mauritius fishing trip with kids and on seasickness help you choose the trip length.