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The Dorado, also known as the Dolphin fish and
the Mahi Mahi (Hawaiian for strong strong), is
found in tropical and subtropical waters of all oceans. They are found in
the first 250 feet of water with temperatures between 21 and 30 degrees
Centigrade. (69F – 86F). Dorado
have a lifespan of 4 to 5 years. Catches average 7 to 13 kg (15 to 28 pounds).
They seldom exceed 15 kg (33 pounds), and any Dorado over 18 kg (39 pounds) is
exceptional.
The Dorado have distinguishing colors: golden on the sides, bright blues and greens on the sides and back. Mature males also have prominent foreheads protruding well above the body. Females have a rounded head. The males and female have similar shaped bodies except for their heads. Females are usually smaller than the males.
Sc
The
Dorado is a member of the Coryphaenidae (Coryphaena
hippurus) Family. It is found in tropical and subtropical waters of all oceans warmer than 68
degrees Fahrenheit between 46 degrees north to 38 degrees south latitude.
Blue marlin, black marlin, porpoises, sailfish, sharks, swordfish, and yellow
fin tuna prey on the Dorado. The Dorado is a very fast growing fish with a life
span of four to five years. Their diet consists of other small fishes like
sardines, flying fish, mackerel and Squid. They grow incredibly fast and have
large appetites. At one year of age they can reach 6 lbs. And by two years be
over 20 lbs. Once the fish become adults
they spawn in the open ocean every six weeks and broadcast about 400,000 eggs.
The eggs, which are about the size of a pinhead, hatch in only 60 hours.
Fishing for DoradoThe world
record for a Sport caught Dorado is 87 lbs. But most are under 30 lbs. and
measure between 34 to 55 inches. They are an aggressive fish that when hooked
can have bursts of speed reaching 50 mph. They are also known, when hooked, to
be very acrobatic at the surface jumping many times before being brought to the
boat. They like to linger under
floating patches of seaweed or other floating objects. Their curiosity also
attracts their schools to boats, which often results in multiple hookups.
You can catch Dorado
by trolling dead Mullet, Mackerel or Squid. Trolling strip baits, often
in combination with plastic squid. Trolling smaller lures, konaheads, minnows
and poppers. Drifting with small live bait, often with chum. Some fisherman also
spincast and flyfish for Dorado.
A typical
tackle setup for Dorado fishing is a 6 ft. stand up rod with a 30lb. lever drag
fishing reel. Spool up with 20lb. to 30lb. mono line using an offshore swivel
knot to tie a barrel swivel to the end of the line. Use a 60lbs mono leader (not
the same as mono line) measuring 6 ft. to 8 ft. tied with a clinch knot to the
swivel. With a Palomar knot tie a 7/0 hook rigged with a Mackerel to the other end
of the leader.
Photos
provided by Captain Greg “Hoppo” Hopping
Find him on the web at www.fishsamoa.com
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