Schoolie mahi are fun, but most anglers dream of a big bull with a blunt, squared-off head. Large mahi often behave differently from schools of smaller fish. They may travel alone or in pairs, roam open water, and hit bigger lures. Adjusting your approach improves your odds of a trophy.
Bulls vs gaffers vs schoolies
- Schoolies: small mahi in large groups around weed and debris.
- Gaffers: medium fish large enough that you need a gaff.
- Bulls: large males with a tall, blunt forehead. Big females (cows) have rounder heads.
Go bigger
Big mahi readily hit larger lures that would intimidate small fish. Medium to large lures in the 8- to 12-inch range filter out schoolies and attract bigger fish. Many big mahi are caught by crews trolling for marlin and wahoo.
Speed
Bull mahi are fast and aggressive. Trolling at the upper end of the range, around 8 to 10 knots, helps cover water and can trigger reaction strikes.
Where to look
- Open water along current edges, not only around weed
- Large, isolated debris
- Frigate birds moving fast low to the water, which often indicates bigger, fast-moving fish
Colors
Green and yellow are classics, but blue and white, pink, and abalone flash also work well on big fish.
Tackle
Big mahi can exceed 40 to 50 pounds and jump repeatedly. Step up to 30 to 50 lb class tackle and 80 to 100 lb leaders.
Landing a bull
Big mahi often make a final run at the boat. Keep pressure steady, avoid rushing the gaff, and let the fish tire before bringing it alongside.
See more in our guides to best lures for mahi and where to find mahi, and shop our mahi lures.
