Marathon Inshore Fishing with Ana Banana
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target gag grouper, lemon sharks, and snapper inshoreProfessional guidance aboard 50ft Bertram with Captain Joel410 hour charters accommodate up to 6 guests
Captain Joel Brandenburg knows these Marathon waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some serious fish. Whether you're a weekend warrior or someone who's never held a rod, this inshore charter aboard his 50-foot Bertram is built for catching—and plenty of it. We're talking gag grouper that'll bend your rod double, lemon sharks that'll get your heart pumping, and snapper that know every trick in the book. With trips ranging from 4 to 10 hours, you've got the flexibility to fish a half-day or really commit to chasing that trophy catch. The Florida Keys don't mess around when it comes to inshore fishing, and neither do we.
Your day starts at the dock in Marathon, where Captain Joel will brief you on the game plan and get everyone settled on the Bertram. This isn't some cramped center console—we're talking about a proper fishing machine with room for up to six anglers to spread out and work their lines without stepping on each other. The inshore waters around Marathon are where the real action happens. We're fishing structure, channels, and flats where these fish live and feed. Joel's been working these spots for years, so he knows exactly where to position the boat based on tides, weather, and what's been biting. You'll spend your time rotating between different techniques and locations, keeping things fresh and your chances high. The Bertram handles these waters beautifully, so even if it gets a little choppy, you'll be comfortable and focused on fishing.
All the tackle is provided, and we're talking quality stuff—not the bargain bin gear that'll let you down when a big fish hits. Joel runs everything from medium-heavy spinning setups for the snappers to heavier conventional tackle when we're after grouper and sharks. Live bait is king out here, and we'll have a good selection of pilchards, pinfish, and whatever else is working that day. Bottom fishing is bread and butter for the grouper—dropping baits down to structure where these guys hole up during the day. For the lemon sharks, we'll often fish baits in the water column or even on top when conditions are right. The snapper fishing can be technical, requiring lighter leaders and finesse, especially when they're being picky. Joel will coach you through each setup, showing you how to feel the bottom, detect bites, and work fish away from structure before they cut you off.
The gag grouper around Marathon are absolute bruisers, and they're what most anglers dream about when they think Florida Keys fishing. These fish average 15 to 25 pounds, but don't be surprised if you hook into something pushing 30 or 40 pounds. They live around hard bottom, ledges, and artificial reefs, and they'll head straight for cover the second they feel the hook. The key is getting them up and away from structure fast—these fish know how to use their home turf advantage. Best fishing is typically fall through spring when they're more active and feeding heavily. What makes gag grouper so special is that perfect combination of fight and flavor. They'll test your drag system and your arms, then reward you with some of the best eating fish in the ocean.
Lemon sharks bring a whole different energy to the trip. These are proper sharks—sometimes 6 to 8 feet long—that'll make screaming runs and jump clear out of the water. They cruise the flats and channels around Marathon, often in surprisingly shallow water. Spring and summer are prime time when they're most active and aggressive. What's cool about lemon sharks is their attitude—they're curious and will often stick around the boat, giving everyone a chance to see them up close. The fight is pure adrenaline, with long runs that'll have your reel smoking. Most anglers are amazed at how powerful these fish are, and how they can change direction instantly even at the end of a long fight.
Red snapper are the gold standard for bottom fishing, and the ones around Marathon are thick-bodied and feisty. They typically run 3 to 8 pounds, perfect for putting a good bend in the rod without overwhelming newer anglers. These fish are smart and structure-oriented, hanging around reefs, wrecks, and hard bottom. They hit live bait hard but can be line-shy, so sometimes you need to scale down your tackle to get bit. Summer months are prime time for red snapper, when they're spawning and feeding aggressively. What anglers love about red snapper is the consistency—when you find them, you can usually catch several, and they're absolutely fantastic on the dinner table.
Mutton snapper are the heavyweights of the snapper family around here, often reaching 10 to 15 pounds with some real monsters pushing 20-plus. They're incredibly strong fish that use their broad sides to fight you every inch of the way to the boat. Spring spawning season is when they really turn on, gathering in large numbers and feeding heavily. These fish are wary and experienced, often requiring perfect presentations and quality bait to get them to bite. What makes mutton snapper special is their combination of size, fight, and intelligence—they'll make you work for every single fish, but the payoff is worth it.
Shortfin mako sharks are the speed demons of the offshore world, but they do venture into our inshore grounds, especially when baitfish are thick. These are probably the fastest sharks in the ocean, capable of incredible speeds and spectacular jumps. When you hook a mako, even a smaller one, you're in for the ride of your life. They're less common than the other species we target, making them a real trophy catch when everything lines up. Winter and spring seem to be when we see them most often, usually when we're fishing deeper inshore structure. The excitement of a mako comes from their unpredictability—they might jump six times in a row or make a
The 1991 Bertram is a serious fishing machine built for Marathon's inshore waters. At 50 feet with twin 500HP Detroit diesels that were completely rebuilt in 2021, this boat gets you to the productive fishing spots fast and smooth. Captain Joel runs a tight ship with space for up to 6 anglers, perfect for targeting gag grouper, lemon sharks, and snapper around the flats and structure. The boat comes loaded with modern fish finders to locate schools, GPS for precise navigation to honey holes, and radar for those hazy Florida Keys mornings. An onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those long 4 to 10-hour sessions on the water. This isn't some weekend warrior's boat - it's a proven fishing platform designed to handle Marathon's changing conditions while putting you on fish consistently.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag grouper are the bread and butter of our bottom fishing - tough fighters that live around any structure they can find. These mottled gray fish average 20 inches but can hit 50+ inches and 80 pounds. Look for them around rocks, reefs, and wrecks in 30-100 feet, though juveniles hang in shallower grass beds. Fall and winter are prime time when they move inshore to spawn. What guests love is their bulldogging fight - once hooked, they head straight for the rocks and won't give up easy. The meat is white, flaky, and perfect for any preparation. They're smart fish that prefer live bait like pinfish and mullet. My biggest tip: use circle hooks, keep your reel locked tight, and don't let them freewheel back to their hole. The moment you feel the bite, it's a tug-of-war to get them up before they wrap you around structure.
Negaprion BrevirostrisLemon sharks are perfect for anglers wanting a solid fight without the danger of bigger sharks. These yellow-brown beauties average 6-8 feet and hang out in Marathon's shallow flats, mangroves, and sandy bottoms in 10-30 feet of water. They're year-round residents but most active during warmer months when they cruise the grass beds hunting crabs and small fish. What guests love is their steady, bulldogging fight - no crazy jumps, just pure power. Plus, they're relatively docile compared to other sharks. The meat's decent eating too, though most folks release them. Best tip I can share: fish the incoming tide around mangrove edges with live pinfish or cut bait on a 30lb setup. Keep it simple and let them run when they first hit.
Lutjanus AnalisMutton snappers are the prettiest fighters in our snapper family - olive-backed with blue streaks and that telltale black spot. These guys average 16-20 inches but can push 30+ pounds on the right day. Find them around reefs, sandy areas near structure, and inlet mouths with good tidal flow in 20-80 feet. They're year-round residents but bite best during moving water. Guests love them because they're scrappy fighters that put up a good fight on lighter tackle, plus they're fantastic eating with sweet, white meat. Unlike other snappers, they'll come up in the water column, especially when you're chumming. Here's my secret: use the lightest sinker you can get away with and let fresh bait drift naturally in the current. When you see that pink color rising through clear water, you know you've got one hooked.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snappers are the holy grail of bottom fishing - beautiful fish with table fare that can't be beat. These bright red fighters typically run 1-2 feet and 3-10 pounds around our waters, though 20+ pounders show up on deeper structure. Look for them on hard bottom, wrecks, and rocky areas in 30-100 feet. Summer months are prime time when they're most active and the bite is consistent. What makes them special? They fight like hell, diving straight for cover the moment they feel the hook. The meat is sweet, flaky, and perfect for any recipe. Season runs limited dates, so book early. My best advice: drop fresh cigar minnows or live pinfish right to the bottom with enough weight to hold. When you feel that thump, reel fast and hard - don't give them time to reach the rocks.
Isurus OxyrinchusThe fastest shark in the ocean, makos are pure adrenaline on a hook. These torpedo-shaped predators average 6-10 feet and 130-300 pounds around Marathon's offshore waters. They cruise near the surface in open water but will dive deep when hunting. Spring through fall offers the best action when water temps climb above 70°F. What makes them special? They're smart, aggressive fighters that can leap 20 feet out of the water - sometimes right into your boat! The meat's excellent too, with a firm, almost steak-like texture. My go-to trick: use fresh bluefish on a 50lb rig with wire leader, and once you hook up, keep that reel locked tight. They'll use every trick to snap your line, including wrapping around the boat.
Marathon