The Dorado or Dolphinfish is a surface-dwelling species found in offshore temperate, tropical, and subtropical waters worldwide. It’s also known as Mahi-Mahi, which comes from the Hawaiian language meaning ‘very strong’. It’s believed they’re highly migratory, but little is known about the extent of their migration patterns. They are one of the fastest-growing fish in the ocean, reaching full maturity within four to five months, and can grow up to 1 inch per week and gain up to 3lb per month; they live for up to five years but seldom exceed four.
Mahi-mahi are carnivorous and predatory, feeding on Flying Fish, Crabs, Squid, Mackerel, and other forage fish. They average around a metre in length and a weight between 15lb to 30lb; they rarely exceed this, and a specimen of over 40lb would be classed as an exceptional fish. Like many big game fishing species, they’re often located around floating debris, such as wood, palm trees and fronds, or sargasso weed lines and around fish buoys.
Dorado is one of the anglers favourites, and sport fishermen seek them due to their beauty, size, food quality, and healthy populations. A swift and acrobatic game fish with striking colours, they can reach incredible speeds of up to 50 knots and light up like a neon sign when on the run. One intriguing thing about the species is their sense of camaraderie. A social fish that travels in large schools, Dolphin Fish often refuse to leave a hooked companion. So a tried and the proven trick is to leave a hooked dolphin fish in the water then toss baits to the other fish in the school.
Below are the top destinations in the world for Dorado Fishing.
Due to the amazing fishing at Rodrigues Island, Sportquest Holidays decided to put on their very own hosted Jig fishing trip to the fish packed waters that surround Rodrigues Island in Mauritius. This trip is for the anglers out there who seek adventure and excitement with some pretty extreme fishing for fish that absolutely pull your arms off.
The Maldives is one of the top five names that appear on anglers' bucket lists worldwide. Home to over 1,100 fish species, from small reef dwellers to giant pelagics, it offers travelling rods the opportunity to enjoy some of the finest bluewater popper and jig fishing found anywhere on the planet.
Bluewater Fishing Panama offers travelling anglers the chance to enjoy a fantastic week of mixed fishing for an array of hard-fighting species. Fishing the rich waters of the Gulf of Chiriquí, an area responsible for over 50 IGFA World Records, you'll wet a line in some of the most famous fishing marks on the planet.
The Maldives Liveaboard trip allows travelling rods to experience some of the most exciting and explosive bluewater fishing in the world, casting poppers and jigs to some of the most remote areas of the Laamu Atoll. Situated in the rich waters of the Indian Ocean, it's home to over 1,100 fish species, from small reef dwellers to giant pelagics.
The Zancudo Lodge, where over 70 IGFA records have been set, is world-renowned for its lure and fly fishing inshore and offshore and its finest service. You will receive access to all the required fishing tackle from ultra-light to heavy fly fishing tackle with all poppers, lures, jigs and small flies will also be included.
Covering an area of over 320 square kilometres, the Ebro Delta is one of the most extensive and exciting wetlands in the western Mediterranean. Home to a bounty of different species, including Tuna, Bonito, Bluefish, Palometón, Bass, Llampuga, Mackerel and Amberjack, to name just a few.
Palma de Cortez resort in Mexico is the ideal big game fishing destination. Not only is the resort located next to all the prime fishing grounds but all tackle is included too. On top of this, we now offer light tackle packages on all Panga boats for bait fishing which include all hooks, weights and leaders free for you to use.
El Bahia de Los Suenos, also commonly referred to as the ‘Bay of Dreams’, offers travelling rods mile upon mile of open and accessible coastline, as well as some of the richest offshore waters found anywhere in the world. Here, the Roosterfish is king, and the area is probably the number one destination for both numbers and the large average size of fish.
Andaman Island fishing offers a huge variety of species and all are only a short boat ride from the mainland. Exclusive to Sportquest Holidays we have put together this remarkable fully guided fishing adventure. This exciting destination is located in the Bay of Bengal on some of the most stunning tropical islands the world has to offer.
Every sport fisherman has heard of stories of how world-class the fishery is in Panama and it's no wondering when Panama is the home to so many IGFA records of all manner of species and our lodge is right in the thick of it. The Gulf of Chiriquí is a real treasure of Panama and with the likes of world-renowned areas such as Hannibal Bank and Isla Montuosa being the fishing grounds
Guatemala is the most prolific and talked about Sailfish destination in the world. Home to so many world records it really is classed as the number one place in the world. Our boats get really good numbers of fish during peak times and you will soon find your self realising that this part of the world is a must visit Sailfish destination.
The world-class resort in Costa Rica called Crocodile Bay has won so many awards on Trip Adviser that we class it as a must go for any big game angler. It is also the perfect destination to take your non-angling family, as the eco tours onsite are unbelievable and if you were to stay there for a whole month, you would never get through them.
Alphonse Island needs to be experienced to be believed. It's famed for its world-class saltwater fly fishing for numerous flats species, quiet picnics on secluded beaches, sunset cruises with loved ones, mesmerising encounters with marine life and blissful pampering treatments all set within some of the most picture-perfect surroundings on earth.
Astove Atoll gives six lucky anglers each week the exclusivity of one of the wildest, most rugged atolls on the globe for a wide range of saltwater flats species. This is a wild, secluded and remarkably remote small-scale destination for anglers seeking adventure and a unique fishing experience not to be missed.
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