Mahi Mahi

MAHI MAHI

Coryphaena hippurus

RECORD: 31.8kg, P McGonagle, 1990, Mexico

Mahimahi (also known as dorado and dolphin fish) is a fish that every spearo craves which is surprising as most of them are quite small and they do not tend to swim particularly well with a piece of steel through them.
The reason everyone likes them so much is because of their incredible appearance. The combination of their unusual shape and totally out there colour scheme makes them irresistible.
Being one of the best eating fish in the sea does not hurt either.
The mahi is an occasional summer visitor to New Zealand waters. This is entirely due to the fact that they are an ocean wanderer with a habit of following drifted stuff.
So if a log makes the big drift from the tropics to Northland waters the mahi will follow it.
It is this habit of lurking under anything that floats that makes them relatively easy picking for spearos. If you visit a FAD anywhere in the tropics or on the Australian east coast there is a high probability that mahis will be there . Try to resist the temptation to shoot the first one you see as just like kingies it is the little ones that will rush out to greet you. They do go ballistic and wiggle like mad but the front end is quite solid and makes for a good holding shot They are quite calm until you spear them so just wait for the bigger ones at the back. If you can resist it all together there are few fish that can compare with the sight of electric blue and gold mahi zooming all around you.