Marathon's Best 8-Hour Offshore Charter
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Full 8hour charter covers bay, reef, and wreck fishingOffshore and inshore fishing options with expert guidancePrivate charter accommodates single guest for focused experience
Looking for the real deal when it comes to Florida Keys fishing? This full-day offshore adventure with All Keys Charters is exactly what serious anglers dream about. We're talking about a proper 8-hour charter that covers everything from shallow bay fishing to deep blue water offshore action. Captain's got you covered with multiple spots planned - the reef, several productive wrecks, inshore flats, and the deep water where the big pelagics cruise. This isn't some rushed half-day trip where you barely get your lines wet. You've got all day to chase whatever's biting, and in Marathon's waters, that's usually plenty.
This charter runs as a single angler trip, which means you get the captain's full attention and can fish at your own pace. No fighting over the best spots on the boat or waiting for someone else to finish their fight. The day starts early - that's when the fish are most active and the water's still calm. You'll begin working the inshore areas and reef structure before the boat traffic picks up, then transition to the offshore grounds where the real action happens. The boat's rigged with top-shelf tackle, outriggers, and all the gear you need for everything from light tackle reef fishing to heavy offshore trolling. Captain knows these waters like the back of his hand, so expect to hit multiple productive spots throughout the day. When one area slows down, you're already heading to the next honey hole.
Marathon sits right in the sweet spot of the Middle Keys, giving you access to incredible variety in just one day. You'll start the morning working the reef structure with live bait and jigs, targeting amberjack, grouper, and whatever else is holding on the bottom. The wreck fishing here is world-class - these artificial reefs hold massive schools of baitfish, which means predators aren't far behind. Expect to work both live bait and heavy jigs depending on what's working best. As the day progresses, you'll move offshore where the trolling action heats up. Captain will have the spread out - ballyhoo, feathers, and lures positioned at different depths to cover the water column. The technique switches between high-speed trolling for wahoo and slower speeds for sailfish and tuna. Circle hooks are standard for all live bait work, and the boat's equipped with proper fighting chairs and harnesses for the bigger fish.
Wahoo are the speed demons of these waters, and Marathon's offshore grounds are famous for producing some serious fish. These silver bullets can hit 40+ pounds and strip line off your reel like nothing else. Peak season runs from November through March when they're most aggressive, but you'll find them year-round if you know where to look. They love structure and current breaks, hitting trolled baits at speeds that'll test your reflexes. What makes wahoo so exciting is that explosive strike - one second you're trolling peacefully, the next your reel is screaming and fish is already 100 yards behind the boat.
Cobia are the gentle giants that get everyone excited when they show up. These curious fish will actually come right up to the boat, following rays and sharks in the shallows. They average 30-50 pounds but can push 60+ in these waters. Best time is April through October when they're most active in the warmer months. Cobia are sight fishing at its finest - you'll see them cruising the surface, cast a live crab or eel their way, and watch them slowly swim over to investigate. The fight is bulldogging power, long runs, and lots of head shaking.
Yellowtail amberjack are the reef residents that'll give you a proper workout. These fish live around structure and they know how to use it to their advantage. Most run 15-30 pounds, but the bigger ones can hit 40+. They're year-round residents but peak in spring and fall. What makes yellowtail special is their speed and determination - they'll head straight for the nearest ledge or wreck when hooked, trying to cut you off. It's a chess match between angler and fish, and they win more often than we'd like to admit.
Blackfin tuna are the perfect eating fish that fight way above their weight class. These smaller tunas average 10-20 pounds but what they lack in size they make up for in pure energy. Peak season is winter through spring, but they're around most of the year. Blackfins school heavily and when you find them, it's game on. They hit both live bait and lures, and the meat is absolutely incredible - sashimi grade right off the boat. The fight is classic tuna - long runs, deep dives, and that characteristic head shaking.
Atlantic sailfish are the aerial artists that make every angler's heart skip a beat. These billfish average 6-8 feet and put on a jumping show that's pure magic. Winter months from December through April are peak season when they migrate through in good numbers. Sailfish are sight fishing and trolling combined - you'll raise them on the spread, then watch them light up and attack. Once hooked, they'll jump, tail walk, and generally show off until they're brought to the boat. Most are released, making this true conservation fishing at its finest.
An 8-hour charter like this gives you the time to really experience everything Marathon's waters have to offer. You're not rushed, you're not limited to just one type of fishing, and you've got a captain who knows exactly where to be throughout the day. The variety here is what sets this trip apart - reef fish in the morning, offshore pelagics midday, and maybe some late afternoon inshore action if time allows. This is the kind of fishing day that reminds you why the Florida Keys have such a reputation among serious anglers. Book early, especially during peak season, because this type of quality charter fills up fast
This fully equipped motorboat is your ticket to serious offshore fishing in the pristine waters around Marathon. Built for the deep blue, she comes loaded with everything you need to track down and land the big ones. The onboard fish finder will help you locate schools and structure, while the GPS keeps you on the hottest spots. When visibility drops, the radar system ensures safe navigation back to port. The spacious ice box keeps your catch fresh and your drinks cold during those long offshore runs. After hours of battling fish under the Florida sun, you'll appreciate the onboard toilet for comfort and convenience. This vessel handles the open ocean with confidence, taking you to productive reefs, wrecks, and blue water where trophy fish roam. Perfect for solo anglers or intimate fishing trips, this boat gives you 8 full hours to explore everything the Keys waters offer. From shallow backcountry flats to deep offshore drops, you'll have the range and equipment to make the most of your Florida Keys fishing adventure.
Istiophorus AlbicansThe ultimate gamefish with that massive sail-like dorsal fin and sword-shaped bill. Most sailfish we see run 6-8 feet and 40-60 pounds of pure athleticism. They patrol the blue water from 30-200 feet, hunting baitfish along current edges and temperature breaks. Winter months are magic time in the Keys - that's when they stack up thick during their migration south. What sets sailfish apart is the show they put on: jumping, tail-walking, and putting on an aerial display that'll get your heart pumping. We practice catch and release to keep the fishery strong. The secret is patience - tease them up with live bait, let them eat it properly, then hang on. Once hooked, don't pressure them too hard or they'll throw the hook.
Thunnus AtlanticusThe smallest tuna in our waters, but don't let size fool you - blackfins pack serious punch for fish that average 10-20 pounds. You'll spot them by that distinctive golden stripe along their sides and the way they school up with skipjacks. We target them in open water near the continental shelf, usually in the top 100 feet. Peak season runs fall through spring here in the Keys when water temps are right. These fish are pure adrenaline - fast runs, strong pulls, and they don't give up easy. Plus the meat is outstanding, dark and rich like their bigger tuna cousins. Best approach: scale down your tackle with light fluorocarbon leaders and smaller hooks. Their eyesight is sharp, so finesse beats heavy gear every time.
Rachycentron CanadumBrown sharks that aren't sharks - that's what most folks think when they first see a cobia cruising near the surface. These bruisers average 20-40 pounds but can push 100, with that distinctive dark brown color and single dorsal fin. You'll find them around our wrecks, buoys, and reef structure in 30-70 feet, especially during their spring migration through the Keys. Cobia are loners, so we typically sight-fish for them when they're up shallow. Guests love the hard pulling fight and the bonus - some of the best eating fish in these waters with firm, white meat. My advice: when you spot one, drop a bucktail jig right in front of its nose and work it slow. They're curious fish, so be patient.
Acanthocybium SolandriThese silver bullets with their distinctive blue stripes are pure speed - hitting 60 mph when they take off with your bait. Most wahoo we catch run 3-5 feet and 15-40 pounds, though they can get much bigger. They cruise the open water around our reefs and wrecks, usually in the top 60 feet. July through November is prime time here in the Keys when they're most active. Guests love wahoo for two reasons: the screaming runs that'll test your arms, and the table fare - sweet, flaky white meat that's perfect for the grill. Pro tip: use wire leaders and troll fast with small lures or rigged ballyhoo. When one hits, don't horse it - let it run first, then work it back steady.
Seriola LalandiThose bright yellow fins give these fish away every time. Yellowtail amberjack are solid fighters that'll test your tackle, typically running 15-25 pounds with the occasional 40-pounder to keep things interesting. We find them around rocky bottom, wrecks, and reef edges where they hunt for squid and smaller fish. They're year-round residents here, but fishing picks up in warmer months when they're more active near structure. What makes them special is the fight - strong, steady pulls that don't quit easily, plus they're excellent on the table with that rich, oily meat that's perfect for sashimi. Key trick: use live bait when possible and don't rush the fight. Let them tire themselves out before trying to bring them up.
Marathon