Marathon 6-Hour Inshore Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour inshore fishing charter targeting multiple speciesAccommodates single guest with All Keys ChartersAccess diverse fishing spots for Snapper and Amberjack
Looking to step up your fishing game in the heart of the Florida Keys? This 6-hour Marathon charter with All Keys Charters puts you right in the action where the Gulf meets the Atlantic, creating some of the most productive inshore waters you'll find anywhere. We're talking about prime hunting grounds for yellowtail snapper, mutton snapper, black grouper, and Florida pompano – species that'll test your skills and fill your cooler. With six full hours on the water, you've got plenty of time to work multiple spots and dial in what's biting. The boat handles up to 6 anglers, so bring your crew and get ready for some serious fishing in waters that have been producing trophy catches for decades.
Your Marathon fishing adventure kicks off from one of the most strategic launching points in the Keys. We're positioned perfectly to hit the flats, channels, and structure that hold the fish you're after. The beauty of a 6-hour trip is the flexibility – we can start shallow on the flats targeting pompano and smaller snapper, then move to deeper structure for the bigger mutton snapper and grouper as conditions and bite patterns dictate. The waters around Marathon offer incredible variety, from sandy bottoms and grass flats to coral heads and ledges. Each spot requires different approaches, and that's what keeps this fishery so exciting. You'll experience the classic Keys fishing environment where crystal-clear water lets you sight fish in the shallows, while deeper drops hold the bottom dwellers that provide serious rod-bending action. The extended time frame means we're not rushed – if one spot isn't producing, we've got options and the time to explore them.
Marathon inshore fishing is all about reading the conditions and adapting your approach. We'll be working with live bait, cut bait, and artificials depending on what the fish are telling us. For the yellowtails and muttons, we're typically talking about bottom fishing over structure with circle hooks and just enough weight to get down while maintaining feel. The grouper require a bit more muscle – heavier tackle and the technique to turn them before they get back to their holes. Pompano fishing is a whole different game, often involving lighter tackle and working the flats with jigs or small baits. The boat comes equipped with quality gear, but if you've got your own rods you like to fish with, bring them along. We'll be anchored up over productive bottom, drifting flats, and possibly doing some light trolling if the bite calls for it. The key to success in these waters is staying mobile and being ready to switch techniques when the fish demand it.
Yellowtail snapper are the bread and butter of Keys fishing, and Marathon's waters hold some beauties. These fish are active year-round but really turn on during the warmer months. They're schooling fish that respond well to chumming, and once you find them, the action can be fast and furious. Yellowtails fight harder than their size suggests and make excellent table fare. The trick is keeping them interested with a steady chum line while presenting your bait naturally in the current.
Mutton snapper represent the next level up in both size and fight. These fish can push 10-15 pounds in Marathon waters and are absolute bulldogs when hooked. They're structure-oriented and tend to be more selective than yellowtails, requiring precise bait presentation and quick hook sets. Spring through early fall offers the best mutton action, and landing a big mutton is something every Keys angler dreams about. Their copper-colored sides and distinctive black spot make them one of the most beautiful fish in these waters.
Black grouper are the heavyweights of this fishery, capable of reaching impressive sizes in the deeper waters around Marathon. These ambush predators live around ledges, rocks, and artificial reefs where they can use their powerful jaws to crush crabs and smaller fish. Grouper fishing requires heavy tackle and quick reflexes – once hooked, they'll try to get back to their hole and break you off. The fight is more about power than speed, and landing a good-sized black grouper is always a highlight of any Keys fishing trip.
Florida pompano are the wild card that can make any day special. These fish are prized for their incredible table quality and acrobatic fights. They prefer sandy areas and grass flats where they root around for crabs and small baitfish. Pompano can be finicky, but when they're feeding, they provide some of the most exciting light-tackle action you'll find. They're more common in the cooler months, and their silvery flanks and forked tails make them unmistakable when they come to the boat.
Marathon offers some of the most consistent and diverse inshore fishing in the Florida Keys, and a 6-hour trip gives you the best shot at experiencing everything these waters have to offer. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to add some Keys species to your list or someone wanting to experience world-class fishing in one of Florida's most productive areas, this charter delivers. The combination of multiple target species, varied fishing techniques, and the time to really work the water makes this trip a customer favorite. All Keys Charters knows these waters inside and out, and with accommodations for up to 6 guests, it's perfect for groups looking to share an authentic Keys fishing experience. Don't wait – these prime fishing dates fill up fast, especially during peak seasons.
Your fishing machine for Marathon's inshore waters comes fully rigged for a serious day on the flats. This motorboat handles like a dream whether you're chasing snapper around the coral heads or working the grass beds for pompano. The fish finder will show you exactly what's swimming below, while the GPS keeps you locked onto those productive spots you'll want to hit again. When visibility drops or weather moves in, the radar keeps you safe and fishing. Toss your catch in the ice box to keep everything fresh, and the onboard head means no cutting trips short. Built for Florida's shallow waters, this boat gets you into fish-holding structure that bigger vessels can't reach. Perfect setup for targeting amberjack, snapper, and whatever else is biting in Marathon's legendary fishing grounds.
Mycteroperca BonaciBlack Grouper are the bulldogs of the reef - not fast, but incredibly strong and stubborn. Most run 20-30 pounds, though we've seen some monsters over 50 pounds that'll really test your back. They hang around wrecks, ledges, and hard bottom in 60-300 feet, moving shallower in winter and deeper in summer. These fish are ambush predators that inhale their prey whole, so when you get a bite, it's usually solid. Guests love the challenge - it's a true tug-of-war that can last 20 minutes. Plus, the meat is fantastic eating with that mild, firm texture. Here's the deal with grouper: once you hook one, crank hard immediately. Don't give them time to think or they'll dive straight into the rocks and cut you off. Heavy tackle is a must - 80-pound braid minimum. They don't nibble, they commit.
Trachinotus CarolinusFlorida Pompano are one of our most prized catches - small but mighty fighters with buttery meat that's worth its weight in gold. Most run 1-3 pounds and 8-12 inches, but don't let the size fool you. These silvery speedsters with yellow fins will bend your rod and scream drag like fish twice their size. We find them around sandy areas near structure, usually in 20-60 feet. Summer and fall are peak times when they're most active feeding on crabs and shrimp. What makes them special is that amazing fight for their size, plus restaurants pay top dollar for them because the meat is so rich and flaky. The trick with pompano is small hooks and natural presentation. I use #2 or #4 hooks with fresh shrimp or small crabs. Keep your bait moving slightly - they like action but nothing too aggressive.
Lutjanus AnalisMutton Snapper are some of the best eating fish we target, and they put up a solid scrap too. Most run 15-20 inches, but the big ones can hit 30+ inches and really pull. You'll spot them by those blue lines around their face and that olive-to-pink coloration. We find them around reefs and structure in 80-200 feet, often hanging just off the reef in the sand. Spring through fall are prime times when they're more active. What guests love is they're strong fighters for their size and the table fare is outstanding - firm, white meat that's hard to beat. The key with muttons is fresh bait and light weight. I like to let the bait drift naturally in the current with just enough weight to get down. They're picky eaters, so if your bait looks beat up, switch it out.
Seriola LalandiYellowtail Amberjack are powerful fighters that'll test your gear and your arms. These fish typically run 15-25 pounds around Marathon, but we see some push 40+ pounds. They're fast, strong swimmers with bright yellow fins that make them easy to identify. You'll find them around rocky reefs and structure in 80-200 feet of water, especially during warmer months when they move closer to shore. What makes them special is that incredible fight - they'll make long runs and really put the hurt on you. The meat is excellent too, prized for sushi in Japan. Here's a local tip: when you hook one, don't try to muscle it up right away. Let it make its first run, then apply steady pressure. Trying to horse them up just gets them more fired up and they'll dive straight into the rocks.
Marathon