Dorado Description
Dorado (or mahi-mahi as they are called some places or dolphin fish as they are called in other places) are one of the world’s most popular gamefish, and it’s no mystery why that is. They are spectacularly colored, fight hard and jump when hooked, and taste delicious. They are abundant in most tropical locales and because they are a fast-growing, short-lived fish they are hungry more often than not. They die of old age around 5-6 years and attain a maximum weight of around 90lbs.
Words and pictures cannot adequately describe the beauty of a fully lit up Dorado in the water. I have seen thousands of pictures of Dorado and I can’t remember one that looked as good as the real thing. They can change the intensity of their colors based on their mood and unfortunately their color usually fades almost immediately after they are brought on board a boat. By the time they get back to the dock they are usually a dull gray color and you would have a hard time convincing anyone that they are one of the most strikingly colored fish in the ocean. One of my fishing goals in life to get a picture that truly captures their beauty. The ones in the gallery below are as close as I’ve gotten so far.
Males, often called “Bulls”, have a large distinctive flat forehead. They grow bigger than the females, which are called “Cows”. Most fish over 25lbs or so will be male.
Dorado Tackle
Any medium weight conventional set up should work fine. A Shimano Trinidad 16N is a good reel for casting. Unfortunately, Dorado are often hooked when trolling with heavy tackle meant for larger fish such as Marlin and so they are totally outmatched and really don’t get a chance to show what they are made of. This is one of the great tragedies of sportfishing. If you hook a 30lb+ Dorado on a lighter saltwater baitcasting rod and reel you are in for quite a fight.
Dorado Tackle
Any medium weight conventional set up should work fine. A Shimano Trinidad 16N is a good reel for casting. Unfortunately, Dorado are often hooked when trolling with heavy tackle meant for larger fish such as Marlin and so they are totally outmatched and really don’t get a chance to show what they are made of. This is one of the great tragedies of sportfishing. If you hook a 30lb+ Dorado on a lighter saltwater baitcasting rod and reel you are in for quite a fight.
Dorado Baits
Dorado mostly eat fish so traditional baitfish such as sardines and Pacific Mackerel work well. Larger fish will eat larger baits. Dorado have relatively small mouths but it always amazes me how they can somehow still engulf relatively large baits. When they are fired up they will eat almost anything, alive or dead.
Where to get the big Dorado
Any tropical location where there is good fishing for other pelagics such as Marlin or Wahoo should have some Dorado. Some world-record fish have been caught in the Cabo San Lucas area so that would be a good bet. After rain flushes debris in the water is a good time to go Dorado hunting as the debris will concentrate them.
(Source: www.howtocatchanyfish.com)
