May Mahi Madness: Offshore Fishing in Key West Heats Up

By mid-May, offshore fishing in Key West is firing on all cylinders—especially if you’re chasing mahi-mahi. These colorful and aggressive pelagic fish are a favorite among anglers, and 2022 delivered an unforgettable run.

On this trip, we departed from Key West with a group of excited anglers visiting from Dallas, Texas. As we cruised through the main ship channel and into deeper water—typically around 200 to 300 feet—we kept an eye out for the telltale signs of mahi activity: a large weed line and diving birds overhead.

Sure enough, we spotted exactly what we were looking for. Our captain guided the boat in close, and within minutes, six rods were in the water and the action began. As the captain called to bring in the teasers, chaos erupted on deck with multiple mahi hits at once.

We landed four out of the first six, including three cows and a solid bull. The energy was high, and the bite stayed consistent. We continued working along the weed line and added another six mahi to the box. By the end of the day, we had put 15 mahi on deck—a banner day for our happy crew.

If you’re looking for the best fishing charter in Key West during the spring season, this kind of offshore action is exactly what you can expect. With the help of experienced fishing guides in Key West, targeting mahi along the weed lines can make for a fast-paced, high-reward day on the water.

Whether you’re booking a full day fishing charter or just a few hours offshore, May is an incredible time to experience fishing in Key West. And if you’re lucky, you’ll end up with a cooler full of fresh mahi and memories that’ll bring you back year after year.