Epic Offshore Charter with Ana Banana Fishing
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Target sailfish, blackfin tuna, and wahoo offshore Marathon410 hour charters aboard 50ft Bertram with Captain JoelAll skill levels welcome with professional gear included
Looking for serious offshore action in the Florida Keys? Captain Joel Brandenburg and his crew at Ana Banana Fishing Company run some of the best deep-water charters out of Marathon. Their 50-foot Bertram is built for the long hauls, and Joel knows exactly where to find the fish that'll have you talking for years. Whether you're bringing the family or a crew of seasoned anglers, this outfit handles groups up to six people and caters to everyone from first-timers to tournament pros. You'll be targeting the classic offshore lineup – sailfish, blackfin tuna, wahoo, mahi, and whatever else decides to crash the party in Marathon's legendary blue water.
Marathon sits right in the sweet spot where the Gulf Stream brushes close to the reef, creating perfect conditions for big pelagic species. Captain Joel runs trips anywhere from four to ten hours, depending on how deep you want to go and what's biting. The 50-foot Bertram gives you plenty of room to fight fish and stay comfortable during the longer runs to the best fishing grounds. You'll head out past the reef line into 200-800 feet of water, where the real action happens. The boat comes equipped with top-shelf tackle, outriggers, and all the gear you need – just bring yourself, some snacks, and plenty of sunscreen. Joel's been working these waters for years and knows the seasonal patterns, current breaks, and structure that hold fish. Don't worry if you've never battled a sailfish or wahoo before – the crew will coach you through every step, from setting the drag to landing your fish properly.
This charter runs a serious trolling spread designed to cover water efficiently and trigger strikes from multiple species. You'll typically have six to eight lines out, using a mix of ballyhoo, bonito strips, and high-speed lures. The boat's outrigger setup lets the crew present baits at different depths and distances from the boat, which is crucial when you're targeting finicky fish like sailfish. For the speed demons like wahoo and blackfin tuna, they'll pull wire leaders and fast-moving lures that can handle the sudden strikes and razor-sharp teeth. When a fish hits, the crew will clear the other lines quickly so you can focus on the fight without tangles. The tackle is sized appropriately for each species – lighter spinning gear for mahi and smaller tuna, heavier conventional setups for sailfish and big wahoo. Captain Joel adjusts the spread based on current conditions, bait availability, and what's been producing lately. The GPS and fish finder help locate temperature breaks, weed lines, and structure that concentrate baitfish and attract predators.
Atlantic Sailfish are the crown jewel of South Florida offshore fishing, and Marathon's waters see consistent action from November through April. These acrobatic fighters average 40-60 pounds and put on a spectacular aerial show when hooked. Sailfish are known for their incredible jumps and long runs, often clearing the water multiple times during a fight. They're typically found around temperature breaks and current edges in 100-400 feet of water. What makes catching sailfish so special is the combination of their fighting ability and their beauty – the electric blue and silver coloration with that massive dorsal fin is absolutely stunning.
Blackfin Tuna are year-round residents that school up in good numbers, especially during winter months. These compact speedsters typically run 10-25 pounds and fight way above their weight class. They're incredibly fast and make blistering runs that'll test your drag system. Blackfins often travel in schools, so when you find one, you'll usually find more. They're excellent table fare with dark red meat that's perfect for sashimi or searing. Look for them around structure, temperature breaks, and areas with diving birds indicating baitfish activity.
Mahi Mahi bring non-stop action and incredible colors to your fishing day. These golden beauties are most common from spring through fall, though Marathon's warm waters hold them year-round in smaller numbers. Mahi average 10-30 pounds but can reach 50-plus in these waters. They're known for their bright yellow, green, and blue coloration that lights up when they're fighting. Mahi often travel in schools and are aggressive feeders, making them perfect for multiple hookups. They're also fantastic eating with white, flaky meat that's versatile in the kitchen.
Wahoo are the speed kings of the offshore world, capable of reaching 60 mph and delivering bone-jarring strikes. These torpedo-shaped predators typically range 20-60 pounds in Marathon waters and are most active during cooler months. Their razor-sharp teeth and incredible speed make them one of the most challenging fish to land consistently. Wahoo are ambush predators that often strike high-speed lures trolled at 12-15 knots. Their white, dense meat is considered some of the best eating in the ocean – similar to tuna but with a unique flavor profile.
Swordfish represent the ultimate offshore challenge, typically targeted during evening and night trips in 800-1500 feet of water. These powerful billfish can exceed 100 pounds and are known for their incredible strength and stamina. Sword fishing requires specialized techniques including deep-dropping with electric reels and heavy tackle. While more challenging to target consistently, hooking a broadbill is a lifetime achievement for any angler. The deep, ruby-red meat is prized by restaurants and makes for an unforgettable meal.
Captain Joel Brandenburg and Ana Banana Fishing Company have built their reputation on putting clients on fish while providing a safe, professional experience. The 50-foot Bertram gives you the platform to fish Marathon's best offshore grounds comfortably, and Joel's knowledge of local waters and seasonal patterns gives you the best shot at trophy fish. Whether you're looking to check sailfish
This 1991 50ft Bertram is built for serious offshore fishing in Marathon's deep waters. Twin 892 Detroit Diesel turbos pump out 900 horsepower combined, pushing this fishing machine at a steady 20 mph cruise to reach sailfish, blackfin tuna, and wahoo grounds efficiently. The flybridge gives you excellent visibility for spotting fish activity and bird work, while the fish finder helps locate structure and baitfish below. Air conditioning keeps everyone comfortable between hookups, and the icebox handles your catch plus cold drinks for the crew. GPS and radar navigation ensure safe passage to productive fishing spots, while VHF radio keeps you connected. The onboard bed lets someone rest during longer trips targeting trophy fish. Captain Joel knows these waters inside and out, guiding anglers of all skill levels to Marathon's best offshore fishing grounds where Atlantic sailfish, wahoo, and blackfin tuna patrol the blue water. This well-maintained vessel carries up to 6 anglers with all the gear and guidance needed for a productive day on the water.
Istiophorus AlbicansSailfish are the crown jewel of offshore fishing - spectacular billfish that put on an aerial show you'll never forget. They average 7-8 feet long and around 50 pounds, with that massive sail-like dorsal fin they flash when hunting or fighting. We find them near the surface in 30-65 feet of the water column, usually along current edges and temperature breaks. Winter months (December through March) bring our peak season when they migrate down from up north. The fight is what makes them legendary - they'll jump, dive, tail-walk, and bulldoze for what feels like forever. Most anglers practice catch-and-release since they're better fighters than table fare. They change colors when excited, flashing blues and blacks that are amazing to watch. Best advice: when one lights up behind your bait, keep that boat moving slowly and don't set the hook until you feel real weight - they like to play with baits.
Thunnus AtlanticusBlackfin tuna are the smallest of the tuna family but pack serious fight in a compact package - typically 10-20 pounds and around 30 inches. These beautiful fish have dark backs with gold stripes that fade fast once they're boated. They school up near continental shelf edges in warm water over 68°F, and we see our best action fall through spring here in the Keys. They're absolute missiles when hooked, making blistering runs that'll test your drag system. The meat's top-shelf - dark red and rich, perfect for searing or sashimi if you're into that. They're also great for getting kids and new anglers into tuna fishing without the heavy tackle requirements. Key tip: scale down your leaders to 30-pound fluoro and use smaller 5/0 circle hooks - these fish have sharp eyes and spook easily from heavy tackle.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are one of the most beautiful fish you'll hook out here - brilliant gold and electric blue colors that put on a light show when they come to the boat. These fast-growing fish average 15-29 pounds and about 39 inches, though we've seen some real bulls pushing 50+ pounds. They're surface feeders that love floating debris, weed lines, and current edges in warm offshore water. Spring through fall gives us the best action when water temps stay above 70°F. What makes them so popular is the aggressive strike, strong fight, and they're absolutely fantastic eating - firm white meat that's perfect grilled or blackened. Pro tip: when you hook one, keep the boat moving and look for the school - mahi travel in groups, so there's usually more where that came from.
Xiphias GladiusSwordfish are the ultimate deep-water challenge - massive predators averaging 200-400 pounds that live in 1,000+ foot depths. These prehistoric-looking fish with their flat, sword-like bills are built for speed and can hit 40+ mph. They're primarily night feeders, coming up from the deep to hunt around 300 feet after dark, then dropping back down during daylight. Peak season runs April through September when they're spawning and more active. What draws serious anglers is the sheer power - hooking a decent sword means you're in for a long, tough battle that can last hours. The meat's outstanding too, firm and meaty like a good steak. My advice: when night fishing, get your squid baits down to 200-300 feet with plenty of lights, and be patient. These fish don't come easy, but when they do, it's worth every minute.
Kyphosus IncisorYellow sea chubs are a smaller fish running 15-18 inches that we find around rocky bottoms and coral reefs in shallow water. They've got distinctive blue and yellow stripes along their sides and a compressed, oval body. These omnivores aren't picky eaters and will hit small baits pretty readily. While they're not trophy fish, they make decent action for kids and newer anglers when the bigger stuff isn't biting. The meat's edible but nothing special - kind of mushy texture. They're fun on light tackle though, and you'll usually find them in schools around structure. Best bet is using small hooks with fresh cut bait like shrimp or small fish strips. A little trick is throwing some bread crumbs in the water - sounds weird, but it works to bring more of them up to your area.
Marathon