Chunking & Live Baiting for Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
When the water warms up and the troll bite can be hit or miss, finding structure such as weedlines, pots, and other floating debris often means dolphin are probably close by. This is when chunking pieces of dead bait, mixing in live baits, and casting artificials can produce epic catches on light tackle. You don’t need any of the 50w tackle, and light spinning tackle and conventional gear is the name of game, allowing for fun fights with multiple hookups at a time easily.
When looking for the best dolphin spinning rods, a light rod capable of making precise casts or pitches towards structure can make a world of difference. Best options include the Shimano Terez TZS69MBLK, TackleDirect TDPS701530KF, and even the OTI TS2710240 as a longer option perfect for throwing bucktails and artificials from distance. To match, a 5000-6000 size spinning reel will pair well, with options including the Shimano Saragosa, Daiwa Saltist, and Penn Spinfisher SSV. All best loaded with 30-40lb braid with a long fluorocarbon or monofilament leader.
If you prefer to chunk dead baits and live bait more than casting towards lit up dolphin, your 20-30lb class trolling gear, and lighter conventional tackle will also get the job done. Shimano’s Talica reels (12-25), Accurate’s Boss Valiant BV- 600, and the Avet JX and LX reels are light enough, yet happen to have plenty of power in case you happen to run into something larger than a bull dolphin. Rods to match include the TackleDirect Platinum Series TDPS602030SIN, Shimano Trevala TVC-66H, and the Shimano Terez TZC70MBLK. All best loaded with a full spool of 30 or 40lb solid braid with a long fluorocarbon leader for stealth.
For bait you can use chunked up pieces of ballyhoo, squid, butterfish, sardines, and anything else you can get your hands on especially live mullet, pilchards, or peanut bunker. Best to ease up to the weedline, pot, or floating debris and throw a few chunks to see if there is any life and if they are around they will come right up on the chunks. Once they are all fired up, go ahead and hide a small circle or j hook inside a bait and pitch towards your target. After your crew has the first fish hooked, keep him in the water until the second fish is hooked. Keep repeating this in order to maximize on your catch, because if you go ahead and land the first fish right away you may scare off the school.
If the fish get really fired up and relentlessly taking any of your offerings, bucktails, topwater poppers, and jerkbaits can also produce impressive catches. If a bucktail doesn’t convince them into a bite, tip it with squid or another strip of bait to add some scent. This is a sure fire way to land them on your spinning setup, which is by far the most exciting way to target mahi around structure.