5.0(7 Reviews)Marathon Inshore Fishing: Sharks & Snappers
5.0(7 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Top Rated
Target sharks, snapper, grouper, and permit inshore4-10 hour charters on 30ft Grady White vesselProfessional captain guides all skill levels safely
Captain Joel Brandenburg and his crew at Ana Banana Fishing Company know these Marathon waters like the back of their hand. When you step aboard their 30-foot Grady White, you're not just booking another fishing trip – you're getting access to decades of local knowledge and some of the most productive inshore waters in the Florida Keys. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to tangle with sharks or bringing the family for their first taste of Keys fishing, this charter delivers the goods. The boat handles up to six anglers comfortably, and with trip options ranging from four to ten hours, you can tailor your day to match your fishing goals and stamina.
Marathon's inshore waters offer something special – you've got the protection of shallow flats and backcountry channels, but you're close enough to deeper structure that big fish are always a possibility. Captain Joel runs a tight ship, meaning your gear is ready, your spots are pre-scouted, and the focus stays on putting fish in the boat. The Grady White is built for these conditions – stable enough for grandparents, roomy enough for kids to move around, and equipped with everything you need to handle anything from schooling snappers to hard-fighting sharks. Expect to move between multiple spots throughout the day as the captain reads conditions and follows the bite. This isn't a lazy drift trip – Joel works constantly to keep you on fish, adjusting tactics and locations based on tides, weather, and what's biting.
Inshore fishing in Marathon means adapting to what the fish want on any given day. You'll likely start with live bait – pilchards, pinfish, or ballyhoo – rigged on circle hooks for the bigger predators. When targeting snappers around structure, expect to fish with lighter tackle and precise presentations near ledges and rocks. For sharks, the captain will beef up the gear with wire leaders and heavier rods that can handle the runs these fish are famous for. Permit fishing requires a different approach entirely – often sight fishing with crabs or small jigs on spinning gear. The crew handles all the rigging and re-rigging, so you can focus on fighting fish rather than tying knots. Bottom fishing, trolling, and live bait fishing are all tools in the arsenal, and Captain Joel switches between them based on conditions and what species are most active.
"Went out on 4/22/25. All family, 8 years old to 58 years old. All of us had a great time. Captain Joel and mate Eric were absolutely awesome. We chose a tough day and they found us the best place to fill our coolers. Caught everything from mahi to snappers to shark. Over 80 filets in the cooler. My 8 year old grandson was the star of the day!! He loved every second. Been out on a dozen other charters and this one was by far my favorite!!" - James
"8/31/25 UPDATE Unbelievable trip! I came down for my birthday with my wife and sons and it turned into one of our best fishing days ever. Joel works nonstop, knows exactly where to go, and gets just as fired up as we do when the fish are biting. Truly a record trip—already looking forward to the next one! I can't say enough about these guys. My sons and I hired them twice and both experiences were fantastic. Very professional and expectations are set upfront. We will book with them again." - Bill
"The wife and I booked a 8 hr off shore trip while on our anniversary. Best decision ever! when we arrived at the spot we were catching Blackfin like crazy! After we caught our legal limit of tuna, we switched it up and started targeting Mahi, and again we caught our limit. All I can say is that Captain Joel and Eric don't go fishing, they go catching!! once in a lifetime experience to fish with these all stars!" - Carmine
Shortfin Mako Sharks are the speedsters of the shark world, capable of hitting 45 mph and launching themselves completely out of the water when hooked. In Marathon's inshore waters, makos typically range from 100 to 300 pounds, though bigger fish are always possible. Spring and early summer offer the best action, when these sharks move into shallower water chasing baitfish. What makes makos special is their fight – they're aggressive, acrobatic, and absolutely relentless. The moment you hook one, everyone on the boat knows it. The runs are blistering, the jumps are spectacular, and the fight can last 30 minutes or more. It's big game fishing without heading to the deep blue.
Permit are the holy grail for many Keys anglers – they're incredibly spooky, extremely selective about what they eat, and fight like fish twice their size. These silver ghosts cruise the flats and edges in schools, often tailing in shallow water as they root for crabs. A typical permit runs 15 to 30 pounds, but their broad profile and stubborn nature make them feel much heavier. They're most active during moving tides, particularly in spring and fall. What drives anglers crazy about permit is their intelligence – they'll inspect your bait for what feels like forever before either eating it or swimming away. When you finally connect with one, the fight is all power and endurance, with the fish using every trick to wrap you around structure or simply wear you down.
Lemon Sharks are the bruisers of the inshore shark world, built thick and powerful for life around structure and shallow water. These yellow-tinged predators commonly reach 150 to 250 pounds in Marathon waters and are active year-round, though summer months offer peak action. Lemons are ambush predators, often found lurking around docks, mangroves, and rocky areas where they can surprise prey.
This 2014 30ft Grady White cuts through Marathon's inshore waters with authority, powered by brand new twin 200hp Yamahas that'll get you to the fishing grounds fast. The flybridge gives you excellent visibility for spotting tarpon rolling or birds working baitfish, while the fish finder helps locate structure where grouper and snapper hang out. When you hook into a big shark, you'll appreciate the boat's stability and deck space to fight it properly. The icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those long summer days on the flats. GPS and radar ensure safe navigation through the backcountry channels, and the VHF radio keeps you connected. Built for serious fishing, this Grady handles the shallow waters around Marathon perfectly, whether you're drifting live bait for permit or anchored up on a wreck targeting snappers.
Lutjanus GriseusGrey snapper, or mangrove snapper as most locals call them, are the bread and butter of Keys fishing. These copper-red fish typically run 1-3 pounds inshore, perfect for family trips. They love structure - docks, mangroves, bridges, and rocky bottom where they can ambush prey. Found year-round in Marathon's waters from 5-40 feet deep, but summer nights are prime time when they're most active. What makes them popular is the steady action and excellent table fare - sweet, white meat that's hard to beat. They're opportunistic feeders but can be line-shy around heavy structure. Here's what works: drop a live shrimp on light tackle near any dock or mangrove overhang at dusk. Let it sink naturally and wait for that telltale tap. Don't set the hook too hard or you'll pull it right out.
Negaprion BrevirostrisLemon sharks are the perfect starter shark - aggressive enough to bend your rod but manageable for most anglers. These yellow-tinged beauties typically run 4-8 feet in our inshore waters, with bigger ones pushing 200 pounds. They love shallow flats, mangrove edges, and sandy channels around Marathon, often hunting in just 3-10 feet of water. Summer months are best when they're most active in the warmer shallows. What guests love is the consistent action - lemons are curious and will investigate almost any bait. They fight hard with powerful runs but won't jump like their offshore cousins. Great eating too if you decide to keep one. Pro tip: fish the incoming tide around mangrove points with fresh cut bait. The scent trail draws them right to you.
Lutjanus AnalisMutton snapper are the heavyweight champs of the snapper family, often called "mutts" by locals. These olive-and-pink beauties typically run 3-8 pounds inshore, but 15+ pounders show up around deeper structure. You'll find them along reef edges, rocky bottom, and around wrecks in 20-80 feet of water near Marathon. They're year-round residents, but summer gives us the best bite when they're feeding heavy. What anglers love is the combination - they fight harder than most snapper and the white, flaky meat is restaurant-quality. They're smart though, with excellent eyesight and a tendency to head straight for structure when hooked. My advice: use the freshest bait possible on a knocker rig, and when you see that pink flash coming up, keep steady pressure. Don't let them get back to the rocks.
Trachinotus FalcatusPermit are the ultimate flats challenge - spooky, smart, and built like silver dinner plates with sickle-shaped fins. Most run 15-25 pounds, though 40+ pounders cruise our shallow grass beds. They love 2-6 foot depths around Marathon, especially sandy areas mixed with grass where they hunt crabs. April through October is prime time when they're spawning and more aggressive. What hooks anglers is the difficulty - permit have incredible eyesight and will bolt at the slightest disturbance. When you do hook one, they make blistering runs and fight way above their weight. The meat's decent, but most folks release these beauties. My tip: use the smallest weight possible with live blue crab, and approach dead quiet. One wrong move and they're gone.
Isurus OxyrinchusThe fastest shark in the ocean, makos are absolute rockets that can hit 30+ mph and leap 20 feet out of the water. These sleek predators average 8-12 feet and 200-400 pounds around Marathon's offshore waters. You'll find them in deeper blue water, usually 30+ miles out where they hunt tuna and billfish. Spring through fall gives us the best action when water temps climb. What makes mako fishing special is the raw power - they'll test your drag, make blazing runs, and put on aerial shows that'll get your heart pumping. The meat's excellent too, almost like swordfish. Here's the key: when one jumps, keep that rod tip down and maintain steady pressure. They love to throw the hook on those spectacular leaps.
5.0 out of 5.0Went out on 4/22/25. All family, 8 years old to 58 years old. All of us had a great time. Captain Joel and mate Eric were absolute...
8/31/25 UPDATE Unbelievable trip! I came down for my birthday with my wife and sons and it turned into one of our best fishing day...
Capt. Joel put us on the fish we wanted. He and 1st mate Phil were great company and knew there stuff! Definitely recommended.
Capt. Joel put us on the fish we wanted. He and 1st mate Phil were great company and knew there stuff! Definitely recommended.
Capt. Joel put us on the fish we wanted. He and 1st mate Phil were great company and knew there stuff! Definitely recommended.
Capt. Joel put us on the fish we wanted. He and 1st mate Phil were great company and knew there stuff! Definitely recommended.
Capt. Joel put us on the fish we wanted. He and 1st mate Phil were great company and knew there stuff! Definitely recommended.
Capt. Joel put us on the fish we wanted. He and 1st mate Phil were great company and knew there stuff! Definitely recommended.
Capt. Joel put us on the fish we wanted. He and 1st mate Phil were great company and knew there stuff! Definitely recommended.
Capt. Joel put us on the fish we wanted. He and 1st mate Phil were great company and knew there stuff! Definitely recommended.
Capt. Joel put us on the fish we wanted. He and 1st mate Phil were great company and knew there stuff! Definitely recommended.
Capt. Joel put us on the fish we wanted. He and 1st mate Phil were great company and knew there stuff! Definitely recommended.
Capt. Joel put us on the fish we wanted. He and 1st mate Phil were great company and knew there stuff! Definitely recommended.
Capt. Joel put us on the fish we wanted. He and 1st mate Phil were great company and knew there stuff! Definitely recommended.
Capt. Joel put us on the fish we wanted. He and 1st mate Phil were great company and knew there stuff! Definitely recommended.
Capt. Joel put us on the fish we wanted. He and 1st mate Phil were great company and knew there stuff! Definitely recommended.
Capt. Joel put us on the fish we wanted. He and 1st mate Phil were great company and knew there stuff! Definitely recommended.
Capt. Joel put us on the fish we wanted. He and 1st mate Phil were great company and knew there stuff! Definitely recommended.
Capt. Joel put us on the fish we wanted. He and 1st mate Phil were great company and knew there stuff! Definitely recommended.
Capt. Joel put us on the fish we wanted. He and 1st mate Phil were great company and knew there stuff! Definitely recommended.
Capt. Joel put us on the fish we wanted. He and 1st mate Phil were great company and knew there stuff! Definitely recommended.
Capt. Joel put us on the fish we wanted. He and 1st mate Phil were great company and knew there stuff! Definitely recommended.
Capt. Joel put us on the fish we wanted. He and 1st mate Phil were great company and knew there stuff! Definitely recommended.
Capt. Joel put us on the fish we wanted. He and 1st mate Phil were great company and knew there stuff! Definitely recommended.
Capt. Joel put us on the fish we wanted. He and 1st mate Phil were great company and knew there stuff! Definitely recommended.
Capt. Joel put us on the fish we wanted. He and 1st mate Phil were great company and knew there stuff! Definitely recommended.
Capt. Joel put us on the fish we wanted. He and 1st mate Phil were great company and knew there stuff! Definitely recommended.
Capt. Joel put us on the fish we wanted. He and 1st mate Phil were great company and knew there stuff! Definitely recommended.
Capt. Joel put us on the fish we wanted. He and 1st mate Phil were great company and knew there stuff! Definitely recommended.
Capt. Joel put us on the fish we wanted. He and 1st mate Phil were great company and knew there stuff! Definitely recommended.
Capt. Joel put us on the fish we wanted. He and 1st mate Phil were great company and knew there stuff! Definitely recommended.
Capt. Joel put us on the fish we wanted. He and 1st mate Phil were great company and knew there stuff! Definitely recommended.
Best around the west!!!
The wife and I booked a 8 hr off shore trip while on our anniversary. Best decision ever! when we arrived at the spot we were catc...
We had a fantastic day with Ana Banana. We are a group of six - two grandparents, two parents, and two kids, one of which is a 21-...
10/10 recommend Captain JoJo and Eddie. Came down to the keys for a birthday trip. The winds were so bad that our initial charter ...
Marathon