Marathon Keys Deep Sea Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Fullday offshore fishing charters aboard 40foot Hatteras vesselProfessional crew targets premium gamefish in Marathon watersSmall groups of six guests ensure personalized fishing experience
Get ready to fish some of the most productive offshore waters in the Florida Keys! Our Marathon-based 40' Hatteras is built for serious fishing, and with 6 to 10 hours on the water, you'll have plenty of time to chase down the big ones. The deep blue waters off Marathon are legendary for holding world-class pelagic species, and our local knowledge puts you right in the strike zone. Whether you're after your first sailfish or looking to land a grander blue marlin, this is where it happens.
You'll launch from Marathon and head out to the deep water where the action is. The 40' Hatteras gives us the range and stability to fish the best offshore spots – we're talking 800 to 2,000 feet of water where the big fish roam. The boat handles six anglers comfortably, so you won't be crowded when the bite gets hot. We typically run 20 to 30 miles out to find the fish, hitting spots like the Humps, the Wall, or following temperature breaks and weed lines where predators feed. The ride out gives you time to rig up and talk strategy, plus the scenery heading offshore in the Keys is pretty spectacular.
We'll be running a spread of trolling lures and live bait to cover all the bases. The boat comes rigged with quality tackle – think 30 to 80-pound class gear depending on what we're targeting. We'll typically pull a mix of ballyhoo, diving plugs, and skirted lures at different depths and distances. When we mark fish on the sounder or see birds working, we might switch to live bait like pilchards or goggle-eyes. The key to offshore fishing here is staying mobile and reading the water – looking for color changes, current edges, floating debris, and bird activity. Our captain knows these waters inside and out, so you'll be fishing the spots that consistently produce.
Blackfin tuna are the bread and butter of Marathon offshore fishing. These torpedo-shaped fighters typically run 10 to 25 pounds and are absolute bulldogs when hooked. They school up around structure and temperature breaks, especially during the cooler months from October through March. What makes blackfin special is their incredible speed and stamina – they'll peel line off your reel like you wouldn't believe. Plus, they're fantastic table fare if you want to keep a few for dinner.
Atlantic sailfish are the crown jewel of these waters. Peak season runs from December through May, when they migrate through in good numbers. These acrobatic fighters average 6 to 8 feet and put on an aerial show that'll get your heart pumping. Marathon sits right in their migration path, making it one of the top sailfishing destinations on the East Coast. Most anglers practice catch and release with sails, but getting that grip-and-grin photo with a billfish is something you'll never forget.
Blue marlin are the holy grail – the fish every offshore angler dreams about. While they're never guaranteed, the deep waters off Marathon hold some monsters. Summer months from May through August give you the best shot, though they can show up year-round. We're talking fish that can exceed 400 pounds and will test every ounce of your skill and endurance. Even a smaller blue marlin of 100 to 200 pounds will give you the fight of a lifetime.
Mahi mahi bring the color and the action. These golden beauties love floating debris and weed lines, where they hunt in schools. Spring through fall is prime time, and when you find them, you can often catch multiple fish. They hit hard, jump high, and their bright colors make for amazing photos. Mahi also happen to be one of the best eating fish in the ocean – sweet, flaky white meat that's perfect for the grill.
Wahoo are speed demons that can hit 60 miles per hour. These torpedo-shaped predators have razor-sharp teeth and a tendency to cut you off if your leader isn't up to par. They're most active in the morning and evening, often hitting trolled lures when you least expect it. A good wahoo will typically run 20 to 40 pounds in these waters, though bigger ones definitely swim here. They're also excellent eating – think of them as the steak of the sea.
This Marathon offshore fishing experience puts you in the heart of some of Florida's best deep-sea fishing grounds. With a full day on the water and a boat designed for serious fishing, you've got everything you need for an epic day. The variety of species means there's always something biting, whether you're a seasoned angler or this is your first time chasing billfish. Our local expertise and quality equipment take the guesswork out of offshore fishing – we know where to find them and how to get them to bite. Don't wait too long to reserve your dates, especially during peak season when the fishing is hottest and spots fill up fast.
This classic 40-foot Hatteras from 1971 got a complete makeover in 2015 and she's ready to take you and 5 other anglers into the deep blue waters off Marathon. Twin 660 HP Cummins engines push her along at a comfortable 25 knots, getting you to the fishing grounds without burning your whole day traveling. The flybridge gives you perfect visibility for spotting birds and bait schools, while the fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating where the big ones are holding. When you need a break from fighting fish, kick back with the AC running, grab a cold one from the fridge, or catch up on the game on TV. She's got everything you need for those long offshore days - full galley for cooking up your catch, head with shower, and even a bunk if someone needs to rest up between battles. The GPS and radar keep you safe and on course, while the VHF radio keeps you connected to other boats sharing intel on where the action is hot. Perfect setup for chasing mahi, tuna, and whatever else is running in the Keys.
Istiophorus AlbicansSailfish are the speed demons of our waters, hitting 30+ mph when they're fired up. These beauties average 6-8 feet and around 50 pounds, with that iconic sail they flash when hunting. We find them in 30-200 feet of water, usually cruising the surface but they'll dive deep when chasing bait. Winter is prime time here in the Keys - we're right in the heart of their migration route. What guests love most is watching them light up and jump when hooked, changing colors from blue to black with those electric stripes. The fights are spectacular with multiple jumps and long runs. Pro tip: when teasing one up, wait for the fish to fully commit before setting the hook. They'll often come in hot then turn away at the last second, so patience pays off.
Thunnus AtlanticusBlackfins are the smallest of the tuna family, typically running 15-30 pounds, but they pack serious punch for their size. These scrappy fighters love warm water over 68°F and hang around the continental shelf edges offshore. Here in Marathon, we see them peak during fall through spring months when they school up with skipjack. What makes blackfins special is that golden lateral stripe that fades once they're out of the water - beautiful fish. They're fierce fighters that'll test your drag, plus the meat is fantastic eating. My tip: scale down to lighter leaders and smaller circle hooks since these guys have sharp eyes. Use live pilchards for chum and you'll have them fired up around the boat in no time.
Makaira NigricansBlues are the giants of the billfish world - females can push 1,000+ pounds while males stay smaller around 300. These apex predators cruise the deep blue water along current edges and temperature breaks, usually in 100+ feet. We see them year-round in the Gulf Stream, but summer months bring the best action when baitfish are thick. What makes blues special is their raw power and acrobatic displays - they'll greyhound across the surface then sound deep, testing every inch of your tackle. The meat has high mercury levels, so most anglers release these magnificent fish. Here's the deal: use heavy tackle with wire leaders because they're incredibly strong. When one hits, clear the spread fast and get ready for the fight of a lifetime. These fish will humble you quickly if your gear isn't up to par.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are hands-down one of the most fun fish to target out here. They average 15-30 pounds but can hit 50+, and they're absolutely gorgeous with those gold and green colors that light up like a disco when hooked. Look for them around floating debris, weedlines, or any structure in 100-1000 feet of water. Spring through fall is prime time, especially when the Gulf Stream pushes close. What makes mahi awesome is they're aggressive feeders, great fighters, and fantastic eating - firm white meat that's perfect grilled. They often travel in schools, so when you hook one, keep lines in the water. My local trick: once you boat the first fish, throw it back alive on a hook - nothing attracts more mahi like a live one swimming around your boat.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are the rockets of the reef - they'll hit 60 mph and slice through 80-pound leaders like butter. These sleek predators average 3-5 feet and 30-60 pounds, with razor-sharp teeth and an attitude to match. We find them around the humps and drop-offs in 60-200 feet, especially near structure where baitfish gather. July through November is prime time here in Marathon when they're thick on the reefs. What anglers love is that blistering initial run - nothing hits harder or faster than a wahoo. Plus, the meat is incredible - white, flaky, and mild. Perfect for fish tacos. Here's my go-to setup: high-speed troll at 12-15 knots with wire leaders - mono and fluoro don't stand a chance against those teeth. Dark-colored lures work best in clear water.
Marathon