Mahi are always a welcomed visitor in Australia. During the summer and autumn months, mahimahi make an annual migration, following the currents south into the waters off New South Wales. When the currents are really strong, mahi have been known to push down as far south as Eden.
A similar situation occurs on Australia's West Coast, with the Leeuwin Current pushing mahimahi southward down the coast past Perth during the warmer months. Anglers eagerly await their arrival as the fish make their way south.
Interestingly, mahi are now appearing in odd spots like Western Victoria. Anglers chasing bluefin tuna have encountered too many mahi in recent months to call it a fluke. It is uncertain whether this appearance of mahi is caused by variations in fickle currents or the simple result of fishermen exploring farther offshore.
FINDING FISH
Mahi adore flotsam. Whether it's a plastic bottle or a whole tree, anything floating on the ocean's surface is prime real estate, sometimes drawing thousands of fish. Finding such floating gold mines, however, can be a hit-or-miss affair. If you really want to fill the boat with some mahi, anglers should familiarize themselves with the locations of reliable fixed structures like fish trap floats or FADs (fish aggregating devices).
A number of FADs have been set up around Australia from Perth in the west to the Gold Coast in the east. For the locations of local FADs in your area check in with your local tackle shop. The coastal waters of New South Wales are also littered with commercial lobster traps and a series of FADs funded by recreational fishing licence sales. The GPS locations for the FADs are published on public websites.
Away from structure, seabirds are the second-best indicator to help you find mahi in Australia. If you see frigate birds or white terns hovering about, chances are they're over game fish like mahi. Birds, mahi and anglers have a symbiotic relationship. The mahi help the birds find the bait, and the birds help us find mahi. Another sure sign to watch out for are schools of flying fish exploding out of the water. Find birds and find bait, and you will find mahi.
FISHING TIPS
Trolling is the preferred method for catching mahi in Aussie waters. Small skirted lures like Christmas trees, jet heads and little pushers are ideal. When these are trolled in conjunction with a deep diver such as a Laser Pro or Halco Max, you'll be pulling a deadly spread. Trolling speeds of 6 to 8 knots will almost guarantee you pick up mahi anywhere in open water.
Mahi also respond well to dead baits. Baitfish chunks, especially pilchards and tuna, will quickly have mahi swirling around excitedly off the back of the boat. Concealing a 4/0 live bait hook into a chunk and floating it off the transom will often produce instant results. Being able to see the bite makes this a very exciting style of fishing.
Avoid heavy leaders when drifting dead baits. A 20- to 40-kg (40- to 80-pound) test trace is more than adequate and will fool most mahi. If the fish keep rejecting your offering, try downsizing the hook and really concealing it in the bait.
The most deadly of all the methods for catching mahi is without a doubt live-baiting. I can't recall a single occasion when a mahimahi refused a live bait, especially small slimies or yakkas. Fishing big live baits can also be the best way to get past the smaller mahi in a school. While fishing with chunks can be frustrating at times because the smaller fish always seem to beat the bigger fish to the bait, large live baits are selective and generally only tempt the biggest mahi.
The live-bait rig is similar to what you would use when cubing, except you employ a slightly larger hook -- usually a 6/0 to 8/0 circle hook. Simplicity is the key, so avoid heavy leaders, sinkers or floats, which just complicate matters without producing more fish. The bigger mahi are usually shy, so it is best to cast or drift the live baits well away from the boat. Trolling skip baits can also be highly effective, especially on really big mahi. Slimy mackerel and bonito rigged on fine-gauge circle hooks will ensure the best strike rate.
So far in early 2014, the currents are pumping in the east and reports are coming in thick and fast of lots of mahi, with some real heavyweights thrown in the mix. Check local conditions before you leave the dock for the best shot at this perennial favorite. In Australian waters mahimahi are present year round in northern waters, especially around Queensland, where they are prolific.
Mahi are ferocious feeders and will eat just about anything that swims from flying fish to baby tuna. Spawning occurs in the open ocean off Queensland in waters around 25 degrees C.
Thousands of mahi have been tagged in Australian waters over the past 20 years. While recaptures are low, all of the recaptures have been in close proximity to their release location, so it's a safe bet that mahi stick close to home seasonally.
