Fishing the Sargassum Lines Off the Riviera Maya

Some folks see seaweed and think it’s a problem. We see it and think: “Hold onto your rods, the mahi are here.”

If you’ve ever fished the waters off the Riviera Maya—especially between Playa del Carmen and Puerto Aventuras—you’ve probably run into long strips of sargassum drifting just offshore. These floating mats might seem like a nuisance, but they can be some of the best fish-holding structures in open water.

Sargassum Isn't All Bad

Why Sargassum Matters

Sargassum isn’t just seaweed. It’s a floating ecosystem. Baitfish, small crustaceans, and all kinds of marine life take shelter under the weed lines. And where the bait hangs out, predators aren’t far behind. Mahi-mahi (dorado), wahoo, and even sailfish will patrol these lines waiting for a meal to wander out.

How We Fish It

At Wasabi Loco, we keep a close eye out for those golden brown sargassum lines running parallel to the beach. When we see them, we don’t just cross them—we troll alongside them.

Why? Because gamefish use these weed lines like highways. Trolling right down the edge of one means we’re running our lures and baits right where the action is. It’s not uncommon to have a double or even triple hookup, especially when mahi are schooled up.

Pro Tip

Bring a little patience. While these weed lines are productive, they can also foul your lines. Sargassum tends to wrap around baits and lures, especially when it's broken up or scattered. Our crew is constantly checking, clearing, and resetting lines to keep everything clean and fish-ready.

But the payoff? Worth it.

What You Might Hook Into

Here’s what we’re looking for along those weed lines:

• Mahi-Mahi – Fast, colorful, aggressive, and delicious. They love hanging near the weed edges.

• Wahoo – Less frequent, but every bit as exciting. These torpedoes hit hard and run fast.

• Sailfish – Not every day, but they’re known to cruise the edges looking for a stray baitfish.

• Skipjack and Bonito – Schooling fish that bring the bigger predators close behind.

The Riviera Maya Advantage

Thanks to the currents that run along the coast and the drop-off not far from shore, sargassum tends to form consistent lines just a few miles out. That means less run time, more fish time.

And that’s exactly how we like it.

Ready to fish the sargassum lines the right way? Book direct with Wasabi Loco and ride with a crew that knows how to work the weed

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