Los Cabos Sport Fishing: Catching the Dorado

When you are on your Los Cabos sport fishing trip, there are a variety of fish that you may be able to hook. One of the most popular is the Dorado, which is sometimes referred to as the mahi-mahi. Read on to find out more about this fish before your next charter.

About the Dorado

The Dorado is also known as the common dolphinfish or the mahi-mahi. The name mahi-mahi means “very strong” in the Hawaiian language, and it is a ray-finned fish that lives near the surface of offshore subtropical, tropical, and temperate waters. These fish have long dorsal fins and compressed bodies, and they are known for their dazzling colors: green, gold, and bright bold. However, outside of the water these colors fade to a yellow-gray at death. Three black stripes also appear on the side of the fish in a diagonal pattern.

The Dorado fish are found in abundance in most tropical locations, and they are one of the fastest-growing fish. They are sexually mature within 4-5 months, and females spawn about three times per year. This has resulted in a healthy population of these fish throughout the world, and combined with their beauty and delicious taste, these characteristics make them one of the most popular game fish.

Fishing for the Dorado

The Dorado is a popular catch for Baja sport fishing due to their beauty, food quality, size, and healthy population. When fishing for this species, charters often look for debris floating in the water, as they tend to swim near floating trees, wood, or seaweed. The presence of birds on the water is also an indication that a spot may be good for catching Dorado.

When trying to catch the Dorado, 30-50 pound gear is adequate. A net full of live bait like sardines can attract these fish and send them into a feeding frenzy, and using a hookless teaser lure can have a similar effect. Then, fishermen usually throw a fly into the feeding Dorado to hook the fish. Once hooked, the Dorado is a fast and acrobatic fish. Catches usually average from 15-29 lbs, and a fish at 40 lbs. or more is considered an exceptional specimen.

Pictures of the Dorado do not do it justice, and this is a fish that you have to see for yourself to fully appreciate. If you are interested in a day out on the water to try and hook one of these beautiful fish, contact us today.