Marathon Fishing Trips
A Huge Variety of Species and Techniques
With a lifetime of experience fishing Marathon, Florida, and the Middle Keys, we can give you the opportunity catch just about anything you want, from yellowtail snapper on patch reefs, to blackfin tuna at the Marathon Hump, to sharks in the backcountry, to permit on the wrecks.
Keep in mind that the trip types described on this page aren’t set in stone. On longer charters, we might try two or more types of fishing. And of course weather and water conditions, as well as what’s biting best, often affect where and how we fish.
Middle Keys Reef Fishing
Target Species
- Yellowtail Snapper
- Mutton Snapper
- Gag Grouper
- Black Grouper
- Cero Mackerel
- Kingfish
- Occasional pelagics
Trip Length
- 1/2 day
- 3/4 day
- Full day
In Marathon, the reef line that parallels nearly the entire length of the Florida Keys is only about 3 miles offshore. Patch reefs (smaller, isolated reef areas) can be found even closer. Those short runs — combined with the fact that reef fishing can be done with light spinning gear and typically produces nearly continuous action — make this a great option for families with younger children.
There’s nothing complicated about reef fishing. Basically, we anchor the boat over a reef, flip a chum bag over the side, and then fish with small baits on unweighted hooks. Often, schools of yellowtail snapper will rise into the chum and feed in plain sight just behind the boat. Bites come fast and furious.
At the same time, we deploy live baits on the surface and cut or live baits on the bottom. The surface baits attract kingfish, delicious cero mackerel, and, at certain times of year, the occasional sailfish or wahoo. Gag, black, and nassau grouper as well as mutton snapper often bite the bottom baits.
Atlantic and Gulf Wreck Fishing
Target Species
- Mutton Snapper
- Black Grouper
- Cobia
- Permit
- African pompano
- Kingfish
- Amberjack
- Sharks
Trip Length
- 1/2 day
- 3/4 day
- Full day
Like reef fishing, wreck fishing is all about structure. Wreck fishing, though, is done while drifting, not anchored. Also, the shipwrecks we fish are farther out and in deeper water (80 - 200’ in the Atlantic) than the reefs.
As a rule, the fish are bigger and more powerful, requiring heavier gear to keep them from reaching the shelter of the wreck and breaking the line. Expect sore arms and shoulders the next day.
Productive wrecks are scattered all over both the Atlantic and Gulf sides of Marathon. Some are household names; others are closely held secrets.
Wreck fishing typically produces a mix of structure loving residents like mutton snapper, black grouper, amberjack, and goliath grouper, along with more transitory predators like cobia, permit, kingfish, African pompano and, of course, sharks and barracuda. Occasionally we find monster cubera snapper, particularly on the Gulf wrecks.
With the right conditions, we can fish wrecks on a half-day trip, but longer trips are preferred.
Marathon Offshore Fishing
Target Species
- Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
- Blackfin Tuna
- Wahoo
- Sailfish
- Marlin
Trip Length
- 3/4 day
- Full day
For us, “offshore fishing” means drifting or trolling in open water on the Atlantic side for pelagic predators like dolphin (mahi mahi), blackfin tuna, wahoo, sailfish, and marlin.
In Marathon, these species can be caught starting just beyond the reef — as little as 3 to 5 miles from shore. Especially in the cooler months, sails, wahoo, and kings can be caught only minutes from the dock.
The most consistently productive areas, though, are 15 to 30 miles out. In particular, the famous Marathon Hump — a group of seamounts rising from a 1,200’ bottom to within about 500’ of the surface — concentrates bait and predators year-round.
During spring and summer, dolphin ranging from “schoolies” under 5 lbs. to “slammers” up to 50 lbs. or more are our prime target. Blackfin tuna of 5 to 30 lbs. are a frequent catch year-round. Both species are highly prized for table fare.
These fish are extremely fast and powerful, and dolphin and sailfish put on incredible aerobatic displays. Without the threat of structure where the fish can break off, though, we can fish for them with 20 and 30 lb. class spinning gear, which is relatively easy for even smaller anglers to handle.
Because of the additional travel time, offshore fishing is best done on a 3/4-day or full-day trip.
Middle Keys Deep-Dropping
Target Species
- Snowy Grouper
- Yellowedge Grouper
- Tilefish
- Queen Snapper
- Silky Snapper
- Barrelfish
Trip Length
- 3/4 day
- Full day
Deep-dropping refers to fishing on or near the bottom in deep water ranging from 450 to more than 1,500 feet. For this kind of fishing, we use electric reels and stout rods to handle the several pounds of lead required.
That means the fight is less than thrilling, but the payoff is a wide variety of highly prized fish for the table. These include snowy and yellowedge grouper up to 40 lbs., golden and blueline tilefish, queen and silk snapper, barrelfish, huge wreckfish, and more.
Our deep-dropping spots are in the Atlantic. Most are 15 to 30 miles offshore, which means we need a 3/4-day trip to make it worth the run out.
We often fish for dolphin and tuna and do some deep-dropping on the same trip if conditions allow.
Far Gulf Relay TowerS and WreckS
Target Species
- Cobia
- Permit
- African Pompano
- Mangrove, Yellowtail and Cubera Snapper
- Black, Gag, and Goliath Grouper
- Amberjack
- Kingfish
Trip Length
- Full day only
Many miles out in the Gulf of Mexico — basically in the middle of nowhere — stands a series of abandoned Department of Defense radio relay towers. Rising more than 100 feet above the surface, they are supported by complex underwater structures. And, since there’s very little natural structure in the area, these towers concentrate huge numbers of both migratory and resident fish.
Because charter fishing Gulf of Mexico federal waters requires a costly Gulf Charter Boat Permit and because they’re 30+ miles from anywhere, these towers get relatively little fishing pressure.
On full-day trips with the right conditions, we can fish the towers — along with a number of wrecks in the vicinity — for cobia, kingfish, African pompano, permit, grouper, and big mangrove, cubera and yellowtail snapper.
Marathon Family Fun Fishing
Target Species
- Whatever is going to give us fast, fun action in calmer water, including:
- Yellowtail Snapper
- Smaller Sharks
- Barracuda
- Jacks
- Mangrove Snapper
Trip Length
- 1/2 day
- 3/4 day
What we think of as “family fun fishing” doesn’t necessarily mean fishing in a particular area or targeting a specific kind of fish. Instead, it’s a trip specifically tailored for families with younger kids. We choose where and how to fish based on weather, conditions, and your crew.
Whatever we do, the goals are the same — minimal travel time, lots of bites and fish, relatively calm water, and low-key atmosphere where everybody has fun.
We might fish nearshore reefs for yellowtail snapper and a mixed bag of other species; fish protected backcountry waters for exciting sharks, barracuda, jacks and mangrove snapper; or, if the weather allows and your crew is up to it, fish some of the closer Atlantic or Gulf wrecks for bigger game.
Specialty Fishing Trips
In addition to the above, we offer several specialized trips.
Shark Fishing
Shark fishing in the clear shallows is a great option for groups who prefer to stay in protected waters but still want to pull on big fish. With chum, we lure sharks into casting range and then fish for them with light tackle. Often, you’ll be able to actually see a shark take the bait almost at your feet, then take off on a drag-screaming run. We catch blacktips, lemon sharks, bull sharks, nurse sharks, bonnetheads, sharpnose sharks and more.
Tarpon Fishing
In the spring and summer, tarpon ranging from 20 to well over 100 lbs. migrate to the Florida Keys in huge numbers. We typically fish for them near bridges with baits including live mullet, crabs, and pinfish. Tarpon are incredibly powerful and justifiably famous for their aerial acrobatics when hooked.
Swordfishing
Like deep-dropping, fishing for swordfish in the Florida Keys is done with heavy tackle and electric reels in very deep water. This is a highly specialized pursuit, using elaborately rigged baits, underwater lights, and lots of patience. Swordfish in the Keys typically range from 100 to 400 lbs.