Full Day Fishing trips Marathon FL
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Fullday offshore fishing targeting Mahi Mahi, Tuna, and SailfishCaptain Butch uses local knowledge for optimal fishing locationsAll tackle and gear included for up to 6 guests
When you're ready to get serious about fishing the Florida Keys, Captain Butch's full day charter out of Marathon is where you want to be. This isn't your typical half-day trip where you're rushing back to the dock just when the fish start biting. With 6 to 8 hours on the water starting at 8 AM, you'll have plenty of time to hit the best spots and really dial in on what's working. The 27-foot Conch boat handles the offshore waters beautifully and gives you room to move around while fighting fish. Plus, with only 6 anglers max, everyone gets their shot at the action without feeling crowded.
This full day adventure gives Captain Butch the flexibility to really show you what Marathon fishing is all about. When conditions are right, you'll head offshore to hunt pelagics like mahi mahi, tuna, and sailfish in the deep blue water. The captain reads the conditions and adjusts the game plan accordingly – maybe that means working weed lines for mahi, trolling ballyhoo for sails, or dropping baits deep for blackfin tuna. If the weather keeps you closer to shore, don't worry – the reef and wreck fishing around Marathon is world-class. You'll target cobia cruising the surface, drop grouper rigs on productive bottom structure, and work whatever bite is hot that day. Captain Butch's local knowledge really shines here – he knows which spots produce and when to move if the action slows down.
All your gear is handled, so you can focus on fishing instead of packing. The boat comes rigged with quality rods and reels suited for everything from light tackle mahi fishing to heavier bottom rigs for grouper. Offshore, you'll likely be trolling with outriggers and downriggers, working ballyhoo, dolphin jigs, and other proven baits through productive water. When you mark fish or find floating debris, the captain will set you up for sight fishing with spinning gear – there's nothing quite like watching a big mahi come up on a bait. For the bottom fishing, you'll be working conventional reels with circle hooks and enough weight to hold bottom in the current. The captain provides all terminal tackle, weights, and a variety of live and dead baits depending on what's working best. Whether you're an experienced angler or this is your first offshore trip, Captain Butch will get you dialed in on the techniques that produce fish.
Mahi mahi are the bread and butter of Marathon's offshore scene, and for good reason. These fish are pure excitement from the hookup to the boat – they jump, run, and put on a show that gets everyone fired up. Mahi typically show up in spring and peak through summer, often found around floating debris, weed lines, or temperature breaks. What makes them special here is the size – Marathon regularly produces bulls over 30 pounds, and when you find a school, everyone on the boat can get in on the action. They're also fantastic eating, so you'll head home with some of the best fish tacos you've ever had.
Cobia are another customer favorite that really showcases Marathon's unique fishing opportunities. These brown sharks (as locals call them) cruise the surface around buoys, rays, and structure, making them perfect sight fishing targets. A big cobia will test your drag and your back – they're strong, stubborn fighters that don't give up easily. Peak season runs from March through July, and a good-sized fish will easily feed a family. Captain Butch has a keen eye for spotting these fish, and there's nothing quite like the anticipation of casting to a 40-pound cobia you can see swimming on the surface.
Black grouper are the heavy hitters of the reef scene around Marathon. These fish live around ledges, wrecks, and hard bottom structure, and they know how to use it to their advantage. When you hook a big gag or black grouper, the fight is all about power and endurance – they'll try to cut you off on the bottom structure, so you need to muscle them up fast. The best action typically happens during cooler months when regulations allow harvest, but catch and release fishing is productive year-round. A 20-pound grouper makes for an epic battle and provides some of the finest table fare in the ocean.
While swordfish aren't typically targeted on daytime trips, Marathon's waters hold plenty of other exciting species that might show up. Blackfin tuna school up offshore and provide fast action on light tackle. King mackerel patrol the reef edges and offer searing runs when hooked. Amberjack around wrecks will test your tackle's limits with their bulldogging fights. The beauty of a full day trip is having time to explore different techniques and species as conditions and opportunities present themselves.
Marathon's fishing scene changes with the seasons, so calling ahead gives you the inside scoop on what's biting during your visit. Captain Butch stays on top of current conditions and can steer you toward the best action for your trip dates. The full day format really maximizes your time on the water and gives you the best shot at a variety of species. Whether you're an experienced angler looking to target specific fish or a family wanting to experience Keys fishing at its finest, this charter delivers the goods. The 6-person limit keeps things comfortable and ensures everyone gets personal attention from the captain. With all gear included and a captain who knows these waters inside and out, you're set up for one of those fishing days you'll be talking about for years.
Captain Butch's 27-foot Conch center console is your ticket to serious offshore fishing in the Florida Keys. This boat means business with twin 300 HP Yamaha engines that'll get you out to the deep water where the mahi mahi, tuna, and sailfish are biting. The spacious layout comfortably handles up to 6 anglers, complete with a fighting chair for battling those bigger fish and a livewell to keep your bait fresh all day. Modern GPS and fish finder technology help locate the hottest spots, while the radar keeps you safe when weather rolls in. An icebox keeps your drinks cold during those long 6-8 hour runs. Whether you're chasing pelagics offshore or working the reefs for grouper and cobia, this well-equipped center console has everything you need for productive fishing in Marathon's productive waters.
Mycteroperca BonaciBlack grouper are the reef bullies, ambush predators that inhale anything near the bottom. Most run 10-30 pounds, but 50+ pound slobs live around deeper structure. We find them on reefs, wrecks, and ledges from 60-200 feet deep. Cooler months are best when they move shallower, especially November through March. What anglers love is the initial slam - no nibbling, just a freight train hit that tests your drag immediately. They're also top-shelf table fare with sweet, flaky meat. Pro tip: the second you feel that bite, crank hard and don't stop. These fish will dive straight back to the rocks and cut you off in seconds. Heavy tackle and constant pressure are your only chance against their bulldog strength.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are loners that cruise around looking like brown sharks until you see that long dorsal fin. Most run 20-50 pounds, but 60-80 pounders show up regularly. We target them around reefs, wrecks, and channel markers in 30-70 feet, especially during spring migration from March to May. They're sight fishing at its best - you'll actually see them swimming just under the surface. What guests love is the visual aspect and their bulldogging fight once hooked. They're also some of the best eating fish in these waters. Here's the key: when you spot one, cast ahead of where it's swimming, not right at it. Cobia spook easily, so a quiet approach and letting your jig sink naturally in front of them usually gets the bite.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are one of the most colorful fish you'll see, flashing gold and electric blue when they're fighting. They average 15-29 pounds but can hit 50+ on a good day. We find them around floating debris, weed lines, and current breaks in 100-600 feet of water. Spring through fall is prime time here in the Keys when they're migrating through. What makes them special is the incredible aerial show they put on - jumping and tail-walking like crazy. Plus, they're fantastic eating with firm, sweet meat. Local tip: when you hook one, keep your other lines in the water. Mahi travel in small schools, and where there's one, there's usually more. The bite often turns on fast, so be ready to capitalize.
Xiphias GladiusSwordfish are the ultimate deep-water challenge, averaging 100-200 pounds with that distinctive flat bill. We target them in 800-1500 feet of water, usually at night when they come up to feed around 200-400 feet down. Best months here are fall through spring when water temps cool down. What makes swordfish special is the mystery - you never know what size is down there, and the fight is pure power in deep water. The meat is world-class too, firm and meaty like tuna. My trick: use multiple lights to draw bait up from the depths, then present your squid or dead bait right in that light column. Patience is everything with swords - sometimes you wait hours for that one solid bite, but it's worth it.
Florida Keys