For Members Only! Listed are the 10 must-have tools/equipment and the 13 steps to catching and filleting a Mahi Mahi. Follow these instructions and you’ll be enjoying fish night every night. Here’s our Checklist Guide For Fishing Success:
The Basic Equipment Necessary For Fishing Success
- A rod and reel for sea fishing.
- Fishing line heavy enough to catch large fish.
- A holder for the rod attached to the aft deck – this allows you to let the line out and leave the rod until a fish strikes. Remember to attach the rod to the boat so you don’t lose it.
- A pole holder for placement on your stomach while reeling the fish in. Alternatively, a pillow will work too.
- An extendable gaff and/or net, which will allow you to bring the fish from the water up onto the boat.
- A large bucket for:
- Pouring saltwater on the deck before you land the fish (it’s easier to clean blood and scales off a wet deck than a dry one).
- Putting the fish headfirst into the bucket so to pour/spray alcohol in the gills (killing the fish instantly).
- Make an incision under the gills to bleed the fish (if necessary).
- Rinsing the fish meat in seawater.
- A spray bottle of Vodka or other alcohol.
- A super sharp filleting knife.
- A large cutting board, preferably with a line attached to it. The line makes it easier to affix to the outside of the boat and to wash off.
- A glove to grab the line with your hands to help hoist the fish up (if not using a gaff or net) and/or to handle the fish.
The Basic Fish Catching Procedure
- Ensure your line has an appropriate lure for the area you’re fishing in. We’ve used a squid in the Med, Atlantic and Caribbean and have had excellent results.
- Being mindful of the propeller let the line out the back of the boat. You’ll want it to be several boat lengths behind you.
- Let the fishing line out and ensure the pole is attached to the boat with a rope.
- Chill out in the cockpit and enjoy the sail. When a fish hits you’ll hear the line go.
- As one person gets the fishing line, another person can slow the boat by reducing the speed – put the engine in neutral, reduce sails, turn closer to the wind or even crash tack (make the headsail flop over to the wrong side of the boat).
- After the boat has slowed, the person assisting the fisher needs to:
- Make sure there’s no safety concerns. Keep an eye out for other boats, hazards, etc.
- Get a pillow or pole holder for the fisher
- Wash the deck down with salt water
- Get a gaff and or net and have it extended
- Boats that have an open area at the stern can often pull and slide the fish onboard. Boats that have a high freeboard, however, have quite a distance to pull the fish up. If it’s safe to do so, someone can get down on the sugar scoop with a net. Otherwise, the fish has to be gaffed and hoisted up to the deck.
- Once the fish is on deck, put the head in the bucket and quickly pour or spray alcohol. If it’s a fish that needs to be bled, make an incision underneath each gill (this needs to be done for Tuna).
- Rinse the fish off with saltwater and then put it in a back in the fridge or fillet it immediately.
Make sure you watch our How To Fillet A Mahi Mahi Video and look through favorite Easy Mahi Mahi Recipes too!
