Feb 2024
Dorado (Mahi-mahi)
Dorado
Coryphaena hippurus · Coryphaenidae
- Category
- Dorado & Wahoo
- Found in
- Pacific Baja, Sea of Cortez, Pacific Mainland, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean
- IUCN status
- Least Concern
- Mexico fish counts
- 6,876 counted, 16 so far in 2026
About Dorado (Mahi-mahi) in Mexico
How to recognize it
Dorado are hard to confuse with anything else. A long dorsal fin runs from head to tail, the tail is deeply forked, and the body glows electric green, blue and gold while the fish is alive, fading quickly once it is landed. Bulls develop a tall, squared-off forehead; cows have a rounded head. Fish run from small "peanuts" in schools to bulls of 30 pounds and more.
Where and when in Mexico
Known by the same name in Spanish, dorado is a warm-water species found along both of Mexico's coastlines. In Baja the main run is summer through fall. Mexico Fish Reports' counts show Cabo San Lucas boats with by far the most, more than five thousand fish. Ensenada boats also log dorado in warm summers when offshore paddies hold fish, and San Felipe boats posted a burst of counts in 2006–2009. Loreto, La Paz, East Cape, Puerto Vallarta and the Caribbean coast all have productive seasons.
How it's fished
Floating kelp, logs and debris are the key. Crews troll small lures until a fish hits, then keep one hooked fish in the water so the school stays near while anglers cast live sardines or cut bait. Fly-lined baits and small lures on light spinning gear work well; when a school stays fired up, lures and flies draw strikes too.
Good to know
Dorado are reserved for sportfishing in Mexico, so commercial boats may not target them in coastal waters. They are excellent eating, but releasing smaller fish helps keep paddies productive.
Fishing rules in Mexico
- Reserved for sportfishing within 50 nautical miles of the coast
- 2 per angler per day
Source: LGPAS Art. 68; NOM-017-PESC-1994 §4.9.1 (2013 mod.). Rules change; confirm current limits, seasons and permits with CONAPESCA before you fish.
Where Dorado (Mahi-mahi) are caught in Mexico
- Cabo San Lucas 5,308 counted · last Oct 2026
- Ensenada 1,041 counted · last Oct 2022
- San Felipe 527 counted · last Oct 2009
Fish counts by year
| Year | Kept | Released | Trips |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 (so far) | 16 | 0 | 12 |
| 2025 | 108 | 0 | 53 |
| 2024 | 52 | 0 | 24 |
| 2023 | 19 | 0 | 4 |
| 2022 | 113 | 1 | 10 |
| 2021 | 56 | 0 | 14 |
| 2020 | 266 | 0 | 16 |
| 2019 | 101 | 1 | 26 |
| 2018 | 30 | 3 | 13 |
| 2015 | 86 | 0 | 34 |
| 2014 | 108 | 6 | 27 |
| 2013 | 407 | 56 | 113 |
From fish counts posted by the Mexican landings on Mexico Fish Reports. Years with no posted counts are not shown.
Boats catching Dorado (Mahi-mahi) (2025–2026)
- El Budster Cabo San Lucas 72 counted on 37 trips
- El Budster Pride Cabo San Lucas 52 counted on 28 trips
Dorado (Mahi-mahi) photos from Mexico
Photo: Courtesy of El Budster
Photo: COurtesy of El Budster Pride
Photo: Courtesy of El Budster Sportfishing
Photo: Courtesy of El Budster Sportfishing
Photo: Courtesy of El Budster Sportfishing
Photo: Courtesy of El Budster Sportfishing
Photo: Courtesy of El Budster Sportfishing
Photo: Courtesy of El Budster Sportfishing
Photo: Courtesy of El Budster Sportfishing
Photo: Courtesy of El Budster Sportfishing
Photo: Courtesy of El Budster Sportfishing
Photo: Salvador's Sportfishing
Recent Dorado (Mahi-mahi) reports
Fishing on the EL BUDSTER PRIDE. The JOE RUPORT´S party, CAUGHT THREE 25-30 LB. DORADO. The fish was caught 12 to 14 miles from the coast of Cabo San Lucas.…
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Fishing on the EL BUDSTER PRIDE. The JEFF SIMONS´S party, CAUGHT AND RELEASED ONE MAKO SHARK. They also caught ONE 30 LB. DORADO. The fish was caught 12 to 14…
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Fishing on the EL BUDSTER. The JENNIFER AUSTIN´S party, CAUGHT AND RELEASED ONE 120 LB. STRIPED MARLIN. They also caught THREE 20-25 LB. DORADO. The fish was caught 14 to…
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Fishing on the EL BUDSTER PRIDE. The KEVIN COSGROVE´S party, CAUGHT THREE 25-30 LB. DORADO. The fish was caught 12 to 14 miles from the coast of Cabo San Lucas.…
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Fishing on the EL BUDSTER. The LUIS BUSTAMANTE´S party, CAUGHT TWO 15-20 LB. DORADO. The fish was caught 12 to 14 miles from the coast of Cabo San Lucas. The…
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Fishing on the EL BUDSTER. The KEVIN MICKELBERG´S party, CAUGHT ONE 20 LB. DORADO. The fish was caught 12 to 14 miles from the coast of Cabo San Lucas. The…
(More…)More Dorado & Wahoo
Full Dorado (Mahi-mahi) species profile on FishDatabase.com »