Chasing Color: A Mahi Mahi Encounter off Cabo San Lucas

We were chumming for sharks off the coast of Cabo San Lucas, heading farther out into the Pacific where the water gets rougher—but the chances of a good shark encounter go way up.

It’s a familiar trade-off… less wind protection, more opportunity.

The winds picked up early, and so did the swell. Conditions quickly became uncomfortable, and it was clear we’d have to pull out soon in search of calmer water.

But just as we were preparing to leave, something flashed beneath the surface—a mahi mahi, drawn in by the chum scraps we’d been tossing overboard.

These fish are electric in every sense—vibrant, fast, curious. A species coveted not only by fishermen but by underwater photographers as well. Their constantly shifting colors—greens, golds, blues—are like photographing a living dream. They reflect light in a way few fish do, and capturing that moment, when the colors shift and shimmer, is something a lot of us chase.

At first, I hesitated to get in. I was worried that the second I got in, he’d bolt. So I stayed on board watching. Fer was in the water and the mahi stayed around so I said screw it, I am getting in.

I am so happy I did… it was a great session.

We ended up spending 30 to 40 minutes together, and I got a handful of images I’m really proud of. He was bold, circling around with confidence, giving me just enough time and space to snap image after image.

I had my camera set up at 1/320 shutter speed—a setting I often use for blue sharks, and one that just barely works for faster species like makos. Makos are twitchy and fast, so ideally I’d be closer to 1/400 or 1/500. But because of the water visibility that day, I stuck with 1/320 to reduce noise.

When I slipped into the water with the mahi, I didn’t think to change the shutter speed. I probably should have. These fish are quick. Their speed combined with the constantly shifting light makes them tricky subjects. And even though I’m happy with the images, I know they could have been just a tiny bit sharper if I’d bumped up the shutter.

But that’s the dance of wildlife photography… you are balancing light, speed, and instinct in real time.

After the session, we pulled anchor (figuratively) and made our way back toward calmer seas. I was reluctant to leave but the winds and swells were getting worse… of course that mahi mahi made the ass kicking the ocean gave us worth it.

It’s moments like these—unplanned, fleeting, unforgettable—that keep me coming back.

Lessons in Photography from This Session

Every encounter teaches you something, whether you’re holding a camera or not. Here's what this mahi taught me:

• Always anticipate speed. Even if your subject looks calm, be prepared for fast movement. A little bump in shutter speed can make a huge difference in sharpness—especially with quick fish like mahi mahi.

• Adapt, but don’t overthink. Sometimes you have seconds to act. I was hesitant to jump in, if I had waited longer, I might’ve missed that session entirely.

• Visibility matters. I kept my shutter speed at 1/320 to limit noise due to lower visibility—and I don’t regret it. You have to weigh sharpness against grain and make the best call for the conditions you’re in.

• Don’t underestimate the unexpected. We went out looking for sharks. We got wind and swell. But what we found instead was a mahi mahi and a lesson in patience, trust, and staying open to the ocean’s surprises.