Marathon FL Wreck Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Wrecks/Reefs Fishing
Target Yellowtail, Snapper, and Grouper on bottom fishing adventuresTroll for Mahi Mahi, Tuna, and Wahoo during pelagic fishingAll gear, bait, licenses, and water provided for six anglers
Picture this: you're drifting over some of the Florida Keys' most productive wrecks, watching your rod tip dance as yellowtail snapper compete for your bait below. Then, just when you think it can't get better, we fire up the engines and start trolling the blue water where mahi mahi and wahoo are cruising the current lines. That's exactly what you'll get on this combo reef and trolling charter out of Marathon. We've designed this trip to give you the best of both worlds – the steady action of wreck fishing in the morning, followed by the adrenaline rush of high-speed trolling in the afternoon. With room for up to 6 anglers, we keep the groups small so everyone gets plenty of rod time and personalized attention from your captain.
Your day starts early at the Marathon docks, where you'll meet your captain and get a quick rundown of the game plan. We'll head out to some of our favorite wreck sites first – these artificial reefs are absolute magnets for bottom fish. The water around Marathon is dotted with sunken vessels that have become home to massive schools of yellowtail snapper, mangrove snapper, and several grouper species. You'll be fishing with conventional tackle, dropping baits down to depths ranging from 60 to 120 feet depending on which wreck we're hitting. The action can be non-stop when the fish are feeding, and it's not uncommon to have doubles and triples on the line. After we've loaded the cooler with some quality bottom fish, we'll make the transition to trolling. This is where the real excitement kicks in – we'll spread out a pattern of lures and start covering water, looking for floating debris, weed lines, or bird activity that signals pelagic fish are nearby. The switch from bottom fishing to trolling keeps the day interesting and maximizes your chances of bringing home a variety of species.
We've got you covered with all the gear you'll need for both phases of the trip. For the wreck fishing, we use medium-heavy spinning rods paired with quality reels that can handle the fight of a big grouper trying to get back to the bottom. Circle hooks are the norm here – they're safer for the fish and much more effective at staying hooked during the battle. We'll rig you up with everything from knocker rigs for yellowtail to heavier bottom rigs when we're targeting grouper in deeper water. When we switch to trolling, the setup changes completely. We'll deploy a spread of colorful lures behind the boat, covering different depths and distances to maximize our coverage. Ballyhoo, cedar plugs, and diving plugs all have their place in the spread. The rods are heavier for trolling – you'll need that backbone when a 30-pound mahi decides to go airborne right behind the boat. Your captain will handle most of the rigging and setup, but don't be afraid to ask questions. Most of our guests love learning about the different techniques we use throughout the day.
Blackfin Tuna are some of the hardest fighting fish you'll encounter on this trip, and they're year-round residents in the waters around Marathon. These compact torpedoes typically run 10-20 pounds and fight like fish twice their size. They're incredibly fast and will test your drag system to its limits. Blackfins are most active during the cooler months, but we catch them throughout the year, especially when we find them mixed in with schools of smaller tunas. The meat is fantastic – dark and rich, perfect for searing or making into sashimi if that's your thing.
Red Grouper are the bread and butter of wreck fishing in the Keys, and for good reason. These guys can grow massive – we're talking 20-30 pound fish that will try every trick in the book to break you off on the wreck structure. They're ambush predators that sit just off the bottom, waiting for an easy meal to drift by. Peak season runs from October through April when the water temps drop a bit, but they're present year-round. Red grouper have excellent table fare with firm, white meat that's perfect for grilling or blackening. The fight is all about that first run – once you get their head turned and start pumping them up, you've usually won the battle.
Mahi Mahi or Common Dolphinfish are the crown jewel of offshore trolling, and the waters around Marathon hold some beautiful fish. These acrobatic fighters put on a show like nothing else, often jumping repeatedly when hooked. They're highly migratory, so timing is everything. Spring and fall offer the best shots at larger bulls, while summer brings schools of smaller "schoolies" that are still a blast to catch. Mahi are attracted to floating debris, so we're always scanning for anything that looks out of place on the surface. The colors on these fish are absolutely stunning when they're fresh out of the water, and the meat is some of the best eating you'll find offshore.
Wahoo Fish are pure speed demons that will test your reflexes and your tackle. These toothy predators can reach speeds of 60 mph and often hit trolling lures so hard they'll snap lighter lines before you even know you had a bite. Winter months are prime time for wahoo around Marathon, particularly December through March. They're notorious for their blistering initial runs and sharp teeth – wire leaders are an absolute must. A big wahoo can easily push 40-50 pounds, and the meat is exceptional. It's firm and mild, similar to mahi but with a slightly meatier texture.
Black Grouper are the kings of the reef, and hooking into a big one near a wreck is every bottom fisherman's dream. These bruisers can exceed 50 pounds and have the attitude to match their size. They're more common in the deeper wrecks and tend to be more solitary than their red cousins. Black grouper
Our Wellcraft 290 Coastal cuts through Marathon waters like a fish through coral, built specifically for serious wreck fishing adventures. This 29-footer handles the open ocean with confidence while keeping your crew of up to 6 comfortable during those long days chasing bottom dwellers around sunken structures. The massive 42-gallon Kodiak Pro-Flow baitwell keeps your live bait swimming strong, while dual fish boxes give you plenty of room for yellowtail, grouper, and whatever monsters you pull up from the deep. Flush-mounted rod holders keep your gear secure when the current picks up around those wrecks. Inside, you'll find everything needed for full-day adventures - air conditioning for those scorching Florida afternoons, a full galley with refrigerator, and even a head so nobody has to cut their fishing short. The spacious helm houses our fish finder and GPS, making navigation to productive wreck sites smooth and efficient. Whether we're dropping live shrimp for mangrove snapper or pulling lines for pelagics, this boat handles both bottom fishing and trolling with equal skill. The wide beam provides a stable platform for fighting fish, and there's an icebox to keep your catch fresh and drinks cold throughout the trip.
Mycteroperca BonaciBlack grouper are the heavyweights of our reef system, averaging 10-20 pounds but capable of reaching monster size - the record was 124 pounds caught right here in the Gulf. These olive-gray bruisers with dark blotches live around wrecks, ledges, and deep reefs from 60-300 feet. They move shallow in winter, deeper in summer. What makes them special is the epic battle - they're incredibly strong and will try to drag you back into the structure. The meat is excellent too, mild and firm. Best months are outside spawning season when they're feeding heavily. Critical tip: use heavy tackle with at least 20 pounds of drag. When you feel that bite, start winding immediately and don't give them an inch or they'll break you off in the rocks.
Thunnus AtlanticusBlackfin tuna are the smallest of the tuna family, typically running 15-25 pounds around Marathon. These beautiful fish have dark backs with golden sides that really light up when they're fighting. You'll find them in warm offshore waters, usually 20-100 feet deep near structure or current breaks. Peak season here is fall through spring when water temps are right. What makes them special is their incredible speed and stamina - they'll make screaming runs that'll test your drag. The meat is outstanding too, perfect for sashimi or searing. Here's a local tip: scale down your tackle with 30lb fluorocarbon leaders and smaller hooks. Their eyesight is razor sharp, so finesse beats brute force every time.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi mahi are some of the most beautiful fish you'll see out here - brilliant gold and green colors that put on a light show when they come out of the water. Most run 10-30 pounds, though we see bulls over 40. They're surface dwellers, hanging around weed lines, floating debris, and current edges in 100-1000+ feet of water. Peak season is spring through fall when they're migrating through. What makes them special is their acrobatic fight and that sweet, flaky white meat that's perfect grilled. They travel in schools too, so when you find one, there's usually more. Local trick: look for frigate birds working the surface - they'll lead you right to the fish feeding underneath.
Epinephelus MorioRed grouper are the bread and butter of our bottom fishing here in Marathon. These rusty-red beauties average 5-10 pounds but can push 20-plus on a good day. They hang around rocky bottom and ledges from 30-150 feet, with the bigger fish usually deeper. Best fishing is outside spawning season when they're actively feeding on our reefs and wrecks. Guests love them because they're bulldogs - once hooked, they'll try to get back to their holes and break you off. The meat is fantastic too, firm and sweet with that signature grouper flavor. Pro tip: soon as you feel that thump, start cranking hard and don't let up. Keep constant pressure or they'll wrap you around structure and it's game over.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are the speed demons of the deep - capable of hitting 60 mph when they take your bait. These sleek, torpedo-shaped fish average 20-40 pounds around here, with zebra stripes along their silver sides. They cruise the blue water from 50-300 feet, often around drop-offs and temperature breaks. July through November is prime time when they move through our waters. The fight is pure adrenaline - blistering runs that'll smoke your reel in seconds. Plus, the meat is top-shelf, white and flaky like premium tuna. Here's the key: high-speed trolling at 12-15 knots with wire leaders. Their razor teeth will cut through anything else, and you need that speed to trigger their predator instincts.
Marathon