Fishing Charters in Marathon Florida
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Half to fullday offshore fishing adventures in Marathon watersTarget premium species including Mahi, Tuna, Wahoo, and TripletailGulf Stream fishing accommodates up to six guests per charter
Looking for a world-class offshore fishing adventure in the heart of the Florida Keys? Always Late Fishing Charters puts you right in the action with half and full-day trips that'll have you fighting trophy fish in some of the most productive waters off Marathon. We're talking about the legendary Gulf Stream, where the blue water holds everything from hard-fighting mahi to screaming wahoo runs. With space for up to six anglers, this is your chance to load up the cooler and maybe land that fish you've been dreaming about. Fair warning though – bring your own grub and drinks because once we hit these fishing grounds, you won't want to head back to shore hungry.
Your day starts early when we fire up the engines and head offshore into the deep blue. Marathon sits perfectly positioned for accessing the Gulf Stream's edge, where the continental shelf drops off and creates the perfect hunting grounds for pelagic species. The ride out gives you time to rig up and get your head in the game – we're usually looking at 30-45 minutes before we hit the good stuff. Once we're on the grounds, expect to cover some serious water as we work the current breaks, weed lines, and temperature changes that hold fish. The Gulf Stream moves fast out here, carrying baitfish and attracting the predators we're after. You'll feel the difference when we hit that blue water – it's clearer, deeper, and absolutely loaded with life. Pack light but smart: cooler with ice, plenty of water, snacks that won't spoil in the heat, and don't forget the sunscreen and polarized glasses.
We fish these waters the way they're meant to be fished – trolling spreads that cover water and put multiple baits in the strike zone. Expect to see a mix of ballyhoo, squid, and artificial lures working behind the boat at different distances and depths. The captain knows these waters like the back of his hand, working the color changes where the green inshore water meets that electric blue of the Gulf Stream. When we mark bait on the fish finder or spot birds working, that's when things get interesting fast. We'll also work floating debris, weed lines, and current edges where predators ambush their next meal. The tackle is heavy enough to handle whatever shows up – you might be fighting a 10-pound mahi one minute and have a 40-pound wahoo smoking drag the next. Circle hooks are the standard for most of our trolled baits, and we'll adjust the spread based on what's biting and where the fish are holding.
Mahi mahi are the bread and butter of our offshore trips, and for good reason. These fish are absolute rockets when they're hooked, throwing themselves clear out of the water and putting on a show that'll get your heart pumping. The bulls can push 30-40 pounds out here, while the smaller schoolies still fight like they're twice their size. Mahi love structure, so we target floating debris, weed lines, and current breaks where they school up to feed. Best part? They're fantastic on the dinner table, with firm white meat that's perfect for grilling or making fish tacos. Spring through fall is prime time, with summer offering the most consistent action when the Gulf Stream pushes closer to shore.
Wahoo fishing is like playing with dynamite – you never know when one's going to explode on your bait and take off on a blistering run that'll test your drag system. These fish are pure speed, hitting trolled baits at 40+ mph and capable of stripping hundreds of yards of line before you can blink. A good wahoo will go 20-50 pounds, with their razor-sharp teeth and torpedo shape built for one thing: speed. We target them along the drop-offs and current edges, usually with high-speed lures or rigged ballyhoo. Winter months can be particularly productive for wahoo, when they move through our area in good numbers. The meat is excellent – white, flaky, and perfect for the grill.
Tripletail might be the weirdest-looking fish you'll encounter, but don't let their odd appearance fool you – these are prized catches that fight hard and taste even better. They're ambush predators that like to hang around floating debris, often laying on their sides and looking like floating leaves until something edible swims by. Spotting tripletail is half the battle, and once you see that distinctive three-lobed tail fin, you know you're in for a treat. They're year-round residents but seem to show up in better numbers during the warmer months. Most fish run 10-20 pounds, and their thick, meaty fillets are considered some of the best eating in the ocean.
Blackfin tuna are the workhorses of the offshore scene – smaller than their yellowfin cousins but pound-for-pound some of the hardest fighting fish in the ocean. These 10-25 pound speedsters school up in huge numbers and provide non-stop action when you find them. They're perfect for filling the cooler since the meat is outstanding for sashimi or searing. Blackfins love the clean blue water of the Gulf Stream and often show up around bait schools or current edges. The action can be fast and furious when you get into a good school, with multiple hookups and constant action that'll wear out your arms.
Atlantic sailfish are the crown jewel of offshore fishing – true billfish that'll test your skills and give you a fight you'll never forget. These fish are jumpers, and when a sail goes airborne with that massive dorsal fin spread wide, it's one of the most spectacular sights in fishing. Most sails run 30-60 pounds, but their acrobatic fights make them feel much bigger. Winter and spring are prime sailfish season off Marathon, when cooler water temperatures bring them within range. We practice catch and release for most sailfish, so you get the fight of your life and the fish
Ready to chase trophy fish in the Gulf Stream? This 2008 32-foot SeaVee center console cuts through offshore waters with twin 300HP Yamaha engines, getting you to the deep water action fast. Built for serious fishing, she comfortably handles up to 6 anglers with plenty of room to work the rails when Mahi, Tuna, and Wahoo are running hot. The GPS and radar keep you on the fish even when conditions get sketchy, while the fish finder helps locate those productive ledges and weed lines where the big ones hide. An icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those long Gulf Stream battles. The onboard head means no cutting trips short, and the flybridge gives your captain the perfect vantage point to spot birds working or debris holding fish. Perfect setup for stocking the cooler and landing the kind of fish that make great stories back at the dock.
Istiophorus AlbicansSailfish are the acrobats of the deep, famous for that massive dorsal fin and blistering speed that'll leave you speechless. These billfish average 7.5 feet and 50 pounds, with that gorgeous blue-gray color that shifts when they're fired up. We target them in 30-200 feet along the reef edge and Gulf Stream, where they hunt baitfish in schools. Winter months are magic here in Marathon - that's when they stack up thick. What makes sailfish legendary is the fight: multiple jumps, long runs, and pure athleticism that'll wear you out. Most anglers release these beauties since they're not great table fare. When one lights up your spread, keep the boat moving and let the fish take line on that first run. My tip: don't horse them - let them jump and tire themselves out. Use circle hooks and be patient - rushing a sail usually means losing it.
Thunnus AtlanticusBlackfin tuna are the smallest of the tuna family but pack serious punch, averaging up to 39 inches and fighting way above their weight class. These dark-backed speedsters with their distinctive yellow side stripes love the warm Gulf Stream waters we fish, usually in 100-600 feet over the continental shelf. Peak season runs autumn through spring here in the Keys when water temps hold steady. What makes blackfins special is their aggressive nature - they'll absolutely demolish a spread of baits and fight like fish twice their size. The meat is fantastic, darker and richer than yellowfin. They school up with skipjacks and other tunas, so when you find one, you've usually found a bunch. My secret: scale down everything - these fish have sharp eyes, so I use 30-pound fluorocarbon leaders and 5/0 circle hooks. Vertical jigging works great, and don't forget the chum to keep them fired up.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are absolute stunners with their electric blue-green backs and golden sides that light up like a disco when you get them boatside. These fish average 15-29 pounds and love hanging around floating debris, weedlines, and anything drifting in the Gulf Stream. They're surface feeders, so we'll find them in the top 30 feet of water. Peak season here in Marathon runs spring through fall, with summer being prime time. What makes mahi special is their fight - they'll go airborne multiple times and put on a real show. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish in the ocean with that sweet, flaky white meat. My tip: when we spot one, there's usually more nearby, so keep your lines in the water even after landing the first one. They travel in schools and are curious enough to stick around if you work the area right.
Lobotes SurinamensisTripletail are the chameleons of the flats, floating on their sides near debris to mimic dead leaves - pretty clever for a fish! They run 2-13 pounds on average but can hit 40, with that unique body shape where the back fins make it look like it has three tails. We spot them around floating weeds, markers, and structure in 10-50 feet, often right at the surface. Year-round fishing here, but summer through fall brings the best action. Anglers love them because they're scrappy fighters and the meat rivals red snapper for flavor. These fish are spooky as hell, so sight-fishing is key. My trick: cast well past the fish and work your bait toward them slowly. Let them ambush it rather than dropping it right on their head. Use live shrimp or small crabs, and be ready - once they decide to eat, they commit hard.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are the rockets of the reef, hitting speeds up to 60 mph with those torpedo-shaped bodies and razor-sharp teeth. These beauties average 3-5 feet but can push 8 feet, with that distinctive blue-striped pattern along silver sides. We find them in open water around the reef edges and drop-offs, usually in that 30-200 foot range. July through November is prime time here in the Keys when they're thick in the Gulf Stream. What gets anglers hooked is that blistering initial run - nothing prepares you for a wahoo's first sprint. The meat is firm and mild, perfect for the grill. My go-to technique is high-speed trolling with wire leaders since their teeth will slice through anything else like butter. When one hits, hang on tight because you're in for a wild ride that'll test both your gear and your grip.
Marathon