Marathon FL Full-Day Offshore Charter
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Full 8-hour charter explores bay, reef, and multiple wrecksOffshore and inshore fishing opportunities in Florida Keys watersSingle guest receives personalized guidance from experienced captain
When you're ready to fish the Florida Keys the right way, this 8-hour charter with All Keys Charters gives you everything Marathon's waters have to offer. You'll cover serious ground – from the shallow bay flats to deep offshore drop-offs, plus some of the most productive wrecks and reefs in the Keys. This isn't your typical half-day trip where you're just getting warmed up when it's time to head back. Eight hours means you can really dial in on the fish, adjust tactics as conditions change, and make the most of every bite window.
Your captain knows these waters like the back of his hand, and with a full day ahead, you'll hit multiple zones depending on what's biting. Start early and you might begin working the reef for yellowtail snapper and mutton snapper as the sun comes up. Once the current picks up, it's time to head offshore where the pelagics roam. The beauty of an 8-hour charter is flexibility – if the wahoo are lighting up the 150-foot mark, you can spend quality time there. If the sailfish are showing closer to the reef, you can adjust. Marathon sits right in the sweet spot where the Gulf meets the Atlantic, creating current breaks and temperature changes that concentrate baitfish and attract gamefish. You'll cover inshore grass flats, offshore wrecks, reef edges, and open blue water – basically a sampler platter of everything that makes Keys fishing legendary.
This trip runs the full spectrum of offshore techniques. You'll likely start with some high-speed trolling using ballyhoo, bonito strips, and lures to cover water and locate schools of tuna, wahoo, and cobia. When you mark fish or find structure, it's time to break out the live bait – pilchards, goggle-eyes, and blue runners work magic around the wrecks. Your captain will have you rigged with everything from light spinning tackle for the yellowtail to heavy conventional gear for the big pelagics. Circle hooks are the standard for live bait fishing, and you'll learn to let the fish load up before setting the hook. Wire leaders come into play when wahoo are around – these fish will slice through mono like butter. The key is reading the water, watching the birds, and staying mobile. With 8 hours, you can afford to make moves when the bite slows down.
Wahoo are the speed demons of the offshore world, hitting trolled baits at 40+ mph and stripping line like there's no tomorrow. These fish show up year-round in Marathon's waters, but fall and winter months are prime time when they're feeding heavily before spawning. Most wahoo here run 20-50 pounds, though bigger fish over 60 pounds aren't uncommon. They've got razor-sharp teeth and will test your drag system – when one hits, you'll know it instantly. The fight is pure speed and power, and they're absolutely delicious on the table.
Cobia are the gentle giants that cruise the wrecks and reef edges, often following rays and sharks looking for stirred-up crabs and baitfish. Spring and early summer are peak season, when these bronze-colored bruisers move through in good numbers. They're curious fish that will often come right up to the boat, giving you sight-fishing opportunities with live bait or jigs. A big cobia will peel drag and make long runs, using their broad tail to stay deep. They're fantastic eating and one of the most underrated gamefish in South Florida waters.
Yellowtail amberjack are the workhorses of the offshore wrecks, schooling in big numbers around structure and hitting everything from live bait to vertical jigs. These fish are available year-round but really turn on during the cooler months. They're incredibly strong for their size – a 15-pound yellowtail will fight like a 30-pound fish, making searing runs toward the wreck to try to break you off. They're also excellent table fare when bled and iced properly, with firm white meat that's perfect for the grill.
Blackfin tuna are the perfect gamefish – beautiful, fast, and delicious. These smaller tunas school heavily around Marathon's offshore waters, especially during spring and fall migrations. They're sight feeders that respond well to both trolled baits and live offerings. The fight is typical tuna – fast runs, hard head shakes, and they rarely give up until they're in the boat. Fresh blackfin sashimi on the water is hard to beat, and they make excellent bait for bigger fish too.
Atlantic sailfish are the crown jewel of offshore fishing, and Marathon's waters hold good numbers especially during the winter months. These spectacular fish hit trolled baits with aerial displays that will get your heart pumping. Most captains practice catch and release with sails, using circle hooks and proper handling techniques. The fight combines speed, jumps, and endurance – a big sail can take 20-30 minutes to bring to the boat. Seeing that purple dorsal fin light up as a sail attacks your bait is something you'll never forget.
Marathon offers some of the most consistent offshore fishing in the Florida Keys, and an 8-hour charter with All Keys Charters puts you in position to make the most of it. You're not just buying time on the water – you're getting access to decades of local knowledge, top-quality tackle, and the flexibility to chase whatever's biting. Whether you're looking to put meat in the cooler, chase trophy fish, or just spend a day doing what you love, this trip delivers. The calendar fills up fast, especially during peak season, so don't wait too long to secure your dates. Book now and get ready for the kind of fishing day that reminds you why the Florida Keys have such a legendary reputation.
This Marathon-based fishing boat comes fully rigged for serious offshore action in the Florida Keys waters. You'll have a proper ice box to keep your catch fresh, plus GPS and radar systems to navigate safely to the best fishing spots. The fish finder will help locate schools and structure where the big ones hide. With a full 8-hour charter, there's plenty of time to hit the reef, explore multiple wrecks, and work both inshore and offshore waters depending on what's biting. The boat includes basic amenities like a toilet for comfort during those long fishing days. All Keys Charters knows these waters inside and out, so you'll maximize your time on the water whether you're after reef fish, pelagics, or working the wrecks for grouper and snapper. Perfect setup for anglers who want to experience the full range of what Keys fishing has to offer.
Istiophorus AlbicansSailfish are the crown jewel of Keys fishing - those massive dorsal fins and acrobatic jumps make every fight memorable. Most run 6-8 feet and 40-60 pounds. They patrol the offshore edges in 100-300 feet, following bait schools along current breaks and color changes. Winter is prime time here when they stack up thick from December through March. What hooks anglers is the aerial show - they'll jump, tailwalk, and put on a display you'll never forget. It's all about the experience more than the meat. Here's what works: slow-troll live bait or pitch flies when you raise one. Keep light pressure during the fight - too much and they'll throw the hook. Let them jump and tire themselves out first.
Thunnus AtlanticusBlackfin tuna are the smallest of the tuna family but pack serious punch for their size. Most run 5-15 pounds with that classic football shape and dark fins. They school up in offshore waters, usually 100+ feet deep along current lines and temperature breaks. Fall through spring is our best season here in the Keys when they're feeding heavy on pilchards and ballyhoo. Anglers target them because they fight way above their weight class and make outstanding sashimi - the meat is deep red and rich. They've got sharp eyes, so scale down your tackle. My go-to setup is 30-pound fluoro leader with small circle hooks. Chunk with live pilchards or vertical jig when you mark them on the sounder.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are brown, shark-looking fish that average 20-40 pounds but can push 60+ pounds. They're loners most of the year, cruising shallow reefs, wrecks, and channel edges in 20-60 feet of water. Spring through early summer is prime time when they move through the Keys. What makes them special is their curious nature - they'll actually swim up to the boat to investigate. Plus, they're top-shelf table fare with firm, white meat that tastes like a cross between grouper and mahi. The fight is solid too, with long powerful runs. Here's the trick: when you spot one, pitch a bucktail jig or live bait ahead of where they're swimming. Don't cast right at them or they'll spook. Let it sink and work it slow.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are the speed demons of the Keys, hitting 60 mph with their torpedo-shaped bodies. Most run 3-5 feet and 20-40 pounds, though bigger ones push 50+ pounds. They cruise open water and edges near our offshore reefs, usually in that 30-100 foot range. Peak season here is July through November when they're thick along the current breaks. Guests love them for two reasons - they fight like freight trains on steroids and make some of the best eating fish in the ocean. That white, flaky meat is restaurant quality. Pro tip: always use wire leaders with these toothy missiles. Their razor-sharp teeth will slice through mono or fluoro in a heartbeat. We troll fast with diving plugs and skip baits to trigger their predator instincts.
Seriola LalandiYellowtail Amberjack are built for battle - strong, fast swimmers that'll test your gear. They typically run 15-25 pounds, but 40-pounders show up regularly around our deeper reefs and wrecks. You'll find them hanging near structure in 60-200+ feet, especially around the Humps and outer edge. They're here year-round but fish best in cooler months when bait is thick. What draws anglers is their bulldogging fight - they'll dive straight down and make you work for every inch. The meat is excellent too, prized for sushi. Local trick: when you hook one, don't horse it up right away. Let it tire itself out first, or it'll wrap you around the reef. Use heavy tackle and keep steady pressure.
Marathon