Mahi-Mahi - how fussy are they?

[Tony_N]

Never targeted dolphin fish before - but saw a heap of them around a fish trap this week. Threw and trolled every lure known to mankind at them, but they showed no interest.

A friend tells me he gets them with bits of pilchard on floaters after berlying with small cubes.

Anybody recommend a successful lure/tactic?

[reefraider_II]

tony which fish trap were you fishing?

[Tony_N]

RR

It was a commercial fishermans trap (actually the floats for it) on the 48 fathom line off Ballina

[mackmauler]

Tony, the water temp is still under 22, warmer water definitely gets them more hungry. some days it doesnt matter what you put in front of them they just wont eat, other days they eat anything that moves. pillies are hard to beat, also gar yakkas etc. nearly all the big ones ive taken on lures have been from pakula skirts particularly the cockroach in purple, there is no question that bait is the best method.
Rob

[Tony_N]

Thanks for that Rob. Didn't think about water temperature.
I must try to read up on temp and how it affects various species.

Tony

[NeilD]

I have found that when you find a few around well known structures they are pretty educated and you might fluke one on a lure. Try pillies or a cube mixed with a few extra thrown around it. Small livies are probably the best bet but i have had them only interested in slimies and ignore yakkas.

neil