Delaware Fish Facts for The Recreational Angler

The Dolphinfish is quite dramatic with golden hues on the sides, irregular blotches of metallic blues and greens on the back and sides, and white and yellow on the underside.

Illustration by Duane Raver, Jr.

Season	Open Year Round
Size Limit	No Size Limit
Daily Limit / Person	Private vessel – 10 per person, no more than 60 per trip Headboat – 10 per paying person
Delaware Range	Atlantic Ocean
Abundance in Delaware Waters	Common
General Habitat and Food Preferences	Generally an oceanic species, Dolphinfish are typical found in schools, sometimes near the coast. They are attracted to virtually any floating debris. They feed on fishes, shrimps, squids, and crabs.
Did You Know?	Mature male Dolphinfish (known as "bulls") have prominent squared foreheads protruding well above the body. Females (known as "cows") have a rounded head. Dolphinfish ,are also known as mahi-mahi. The name mahi-mahi means “very strong” in Hawaiian. This fish is not related to the marine mammals also known as dolphins.
Common Lures and Baits	Trolling with lures or casting lures such as bucktails or jigs near floating debris account for the majority of Dolphinfish catches.
Typical Sizes Caught	Dolphinfish are commonly caught in the range of 15 to 30 pounds by anglers.
Citation Minimum Length and Weight	Live Release Award Adult: 41 inches minimum Youth (age 15 and under): 38 inches minimum Sport Fishing Tournament Award Adult: 15 pounds minimum Youth (age 15 and under): 11 pounds minimum
Delaware State Record	56 pounds 9 ounces William D. "Butch" Emmert 2014

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