5.0(3 Reviews)Offshore Fishing Charter in Marathon, FL
5.0(3 reviews)
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Target wahoo, sailfish, and amberjack on offshore watersCaptain Joel provides expert guidance aboard 30ft Grady WhiteAll skill levels welcome with gear and instruction included
When you're looking for serious offshore action in the Florida Keys, Captain Joel Brandenburg and Ana Banana Fishing Company deliver exactly what you came for. This isn't your typical half-day trip close to shore – we're talking 4 to 10 hours of dedicated fishing time aboard a well-rigged 30ft Grady White, heading out to Marathon's most productive offshore waters. Whether you're a weekend warrior or someone who's never held a rod, Captain Joel tailors each trip to match your skill level while keeping the focus on putting fish in the boat. The wahoo are screaming, the sailfish are lit up, and the amberjack are stacked on the wrecks – it's time to get out there and capitalize on what Marathon's offshore scene has to offer.
Your day starts early at the Marina, where Captain Joel and his crew have already prepped the Grady White with fresh bait, sharp hooks, and all the gear you'll need. This 30-footer handles the offshore swells like a champ, giving you a stable platform to work from whether we're trolling for wahoo or dropping baits on structure for amberjack. The boat's equipped with quality rods, reels, and terminal tackle – no need to worry about bringing your own unless you've got a lucky setup you can't leave behind. Captain Joel's been working these waters long enough to know where the fish are holding, and he's constantly adjusting tactics based on what's happening that day. Some trips we'll spend time on the troll, covering water and looking for that telltale wahoo strike. Other days, we might focus on specific pieces of structure where the amberjack and other bottom dwellers are feeding. The beauty of booking 4 to 10 hours is having the flexibility to chase whatever bite is hottest, rather than rushing back to the dock just when things get good.
Marathon's offshore fishing is all about reading conditions and adapting your approach. Captain Joel runs a mix of trolling and bottom fishing depending on what's producing. For the wahoo and sailfish, we're typically pulling a spread of lures and rigged baits at varying depths, covering good water while watching for bird activity and temperature breaks. The Grady White's rigged with outriggers and quality electronics, so we can run an effective trolling pattern that covers the strike zone properly. When we're targeting amberjack and other bottom species, it's all about finding the right structure – wrecks, ledges, and drop-offs where these fish stack up to feed. We'll anchor up or drift fish with live bait and heavy tackle, since amberjack will try to take you straight back to their hole if you give them any slack. The tackle is sized right for each species – lighter gear for the sailfish to give you a proper fight, heavier gear for the amberjack that want to test your drag system. Captain Joel handles all the rigging and bait prep, but he's happy to teach you the finer points if you're interested in learning how to rig ballyhoo or tie a proper wind-on leader.
"Captain Joel and mate Todd were great. Knowledgeable and nice. Had an awesome time fishing with them!" - Glenn. "The best fishing day ever. Jojo really knows his stuff. He puts you on fish and we limited out on tuna! I will book again next time for sure. Eddie was the best!!" - JEANNIE.
Mahi mahi are the bread and butter of Florida Keys offshore fishing, and for good reason. These fish are aggressive, beautiful, and excellent on the table. Mahi typically show up around floating debris, weed lines, and temperature breaks, often traveling in schools that can provide multiple hookups. They're most active during the warmer months from spring through fall, though you can find them year-round in South Florida waters. What makes mahi so exciting is their willingness to eat and their spectacular aerial displays once hooked. A good mahi will jump, tail-walk, and put on a show that'll have you grinning from ear to ear. They're also one of the best eating fish in the ocean, with firm white meat that's perfect for the grill.
Wahoo are the speed demons of the offshore world, and Marathon's waters consistently produce quality fish. These torpedo-shaped predators can hit 60 mph and are known for absolutely destroying trolled baits with violent strikes. Wahoo fishing is best during the cooler months from fall through spring, when they move closer to shore and become more aggressive. What gets anglers fired up about wahoo is that initial strike – there's nothing subtle about it when a wahoo decides to eat your bait. They'll scream line off the reel on that first run, often jumping clear of the water in the process. Plus, wahoo are outstanding table fare with firm, white meat that's perfect for sashimi or grilling.
Swordfish represent the ultimate offshore challenge, and Marathon is one of the few places where you can realistically target them during daylight hours. These apex predators are typically found in deeper water, often around thermal breaks and current edges where they hunt for squid and baitfish. Swordfish are most active during the cooler months, though dedicated anglers target them year-round. What makes swordfish so special is their combination of size, power, and fighting ability. A good swordfish will test every aspect of your tackle and technique, often making long runs and putting up a sustained battle that can last hours. They're also prized for their meat quality, with dense, meaty steaks that are restaurant-quality.
Blackfin tuna might not be the biggest tuna species, but they make up for size with sheer numbers and fighting spirit. These fish school up around structure and current edges, providing fast action when you locate them. Blackfin are most abundant during the warmer months but can be found year-round in Marathon's waters. What
Captain Joel's 2014 30ft Grady White cuts through Marathon's offshore waters with authority, powered by brand new twin 200hp Yamahas that'll get you to the wahoo grounds fast. This fishing machine tops out at 40 mph, meaning less travel time and more lines in the water where the sailfish and amberjack are biting. The flybridge gives you that elevated view to spot birds working bait schools, while the fish finder helps locate structure holding your target species. Stay connected with the VHF radio, navigate precisely with GPS, and track weather with onboard radar. The icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those long offshore runs. Built for serious fishing in the Florida Keys' demanding waters, this Grady White handles the Gulf Stream swells like a champ while you work trolling spreads for pelagics or drop baits on the reef for bottom fish.
Istiophorus AlbicansSailfish are pure adrenaline on a fishing line, famous for those spectacular jumps and that massive dorsal fin that looks like a sail. These blue-gray speedsters average around 50 pounds and 7 feet, but what they lack in size they make up for in attitude. You'll find them in 30-200 feet of water, usually near current edges and temperature breaks. Winter months are magic here in the Keys when they move through in good numbers. Guests love sailfish because they're acrobatic fighters that'll jump, dive, and put on a real show. The key is being patient during the fight - let them run and tire themselves out. My favorite setup is slow-trolling with live ballyhoo on circle hooks. When one shows up behind the bait, don't get too excited - let it eat before you start reeling.
Thunnus AtlanticusBlackfin tuna are the scrappy little fighters of the tuna family, typically running 10-20 pounds but packing way more fight than their size suggests. These dark-backed beauties with yellow finlets love warm water over 68°F and hang around continental shelf edges in 100-400 feet. Fall through spring is peak season here in the Keys when they school up and feed aggressively. What makes them popular is their fierce battles and excellent table fare - the meat is rich and perfect for sashimi. They're also great for beginners since they're more forgiving than their bigger tuna cousins. The key to success is scaling down - use lighter leaders and smaller hooks because these fish have sharp eyes. Live pilchards and vertical jigging work best when you find the schools.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi mahi are some of the prettiest fish you'll see out here, with bright golden sides and electric blue-green backs that put on a real light show when they come out of the water. These fast-growing fish typically run 15-30 pounds and love hanging around floating debris and weed lines in our offshore waters. We target them year-round in Marathon, but they're most abundant during warmer months. What makes them special is their incredible fight - they'll jump, run, and give you everything they've got. Plus, the meat is fantastic eating with that mild, sweet flavor. Pro tip: when you spot frigate birds working debris, get your ballyhoo ready because there's likely a school of hungry mahi underneath waiting to ambush anything that moves.
Xiphias GladiusSwordfish are the ultimate deep-water challenge, averaging 9 feet and 400 pounds of pure muscle. These nocturnal hunters spend their days in 800-1500 feet of water, coming up to around 300 feet at night to feed. We target them year-round, but April through September gives you the best shot. What makes swordfish special is the sheer size and power - landing one is a bucket-list experience that'll test every ounce of your strength. The meat is firm, meaty, and perfect for the grill. Night fishing with heavy tackle and bright lights is the classic method, but we've had good luck day-dropping with 2-5 pound weights to get squid baits down deep. Patience is key - these fish make you earn every bite, but when it happens, you'll never forget it.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are the speed demons of our offshore waters, hitting 60 mph when they want to. These sleek, torpedo-shaped fish average 3-5 feet and pack serious power with those razor-sharp teeth. You'll find them cruising blue water around 60-200 feet deep, often near current edges and temperature breaks. July through November is prime time here in the Keys when they're most active. What guests love about wahoo fishing is the violent strike and blistering runs - they'll test your drag and your nerves. The meat is white, flaky, and delicious too. My go-to technique is high-speed trolling at 12-15 knots with wire leaders and diving plugs. Those teeth will slice through mono in a heartbeat, so don't cheap out on your terminal tackle if you want to land one.
5.0 out of 5.0Captain Joel and mate Todd were great. Knowledgeable and nice. Had an awesome time fishing with them!
The best fishing day ever. Jojo really knows his stuff. He puts you on fish and we limited out on tuna! I will book again next tim...
Marathon