Marathon Offshore Fishing with Infinite Blue
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Full-day offshore fishing targeting Yellowtail, Grouper, and Mahi MahiAll gear, bait, licenses, and water included for groupsBottom fishing, trolling, and drift fishing techniques available
When you're looking for world-class offshore fishing in the Florida Keys, Marathon delivers some of the most consistent action you'll find anywhere. This full-day charter with Infinite Blue Charters puts you right in the heart of the Atlantic's most productive waters, where the continental shelf drops off into deep blue hunting grounds. You'll be fishing alongside up to 5 other anglers, creating that perfect crew size where everyone gets plenty of rod time without feeling crowded. The captain provides all your tackle, bait, licenses, and cold water - you just need to show up ready to fish.
Your day starts early at Marathon's harbor, where you'll meet your captain and get the rundown on the game plan. The run out to the fishing grounds takes about 30-45 minutes, giving you time to rig up and watch the water color change from that shallow Keys green to deep ocean blue. This isn't a half-day trip where you're rushing - you've got the full day to work different spots and techniques based on what's biting. The beauty of Marathon's location is that you're fishing the edge where the Gulf Stream pushes baitfish up against the reef, creating those feeding frenzies that make offshore fishing so addictive. Weather and current conditions will dictate exactly where you fish, but your captain knows these waters like the back of his hand.
You'll be running three main techniques depending on what's showing on the fish finder and what's moving on the surface. Bottom fishing is where you'll target the reef dwellers - we're talking about dropping baits down 80-150 feet to where the grouper and snapper live. The captain will anchor up on productive ledges and wrecks, and you'll be fishing with heavy tackle to muscle fish up from the structure. Trolling is where the real excitement happens - pulling spreads of ballyhoo, feathers, and lures at 6-8 knots to cover water and find the pelagics like mahi, tuna, and wahoo. When you see birds working or find floating debris, that's when you switch to drift fishing, letting baits flow naturally with the current to target mutton snapper, pompano, and whatever else is cruising the mid-water column.
Black Grouper are the heavyweight champions of the reef, and Marathon's waters hold some real giants. These fish can push 20-40 pounds and fight like bulldogs once you hook them. They're most active during the cooler months from November through March, when they move shallower to feed. What makes black grouper so special is their intelligence - they'll wrap you around structure in a heartbeat if you don't keep steady pressure on them. The meat is phenomenal, with firm white flakes that are perfect for grilling or making fish sandwiches.
Blackfin Tuna are your best bet for consistent pelagic action, especially during the winter months when they school up in massive numbers. These fish typically run 5-15 pounds and are absolute rockets when hooked. They're perfect for light tackle fishing, and you'll often find them mixed in with bonitos and small dolphin. Blackfin have that rich, red meat that's outstanding for sashimi if you're into eating your catch raw, or they smoke up beautifully for dips and spreads.
Red Grouper are more abundant than their black cousins and make up the bread and butter of many offshore trips. They typically run smaller, in the 5-15 pound range, but they're easier to find and just as tasty on the dinner table. Red grouper are more willing to come up off the bottom to feed, making them great targets for drift fishing over structure. Peak season runs from late fall through early spring when they're most aggressive.
Mahi Mahi or Common Dolphinfish are what dreams are made of when you're trolling the blue water. These fish are pure adrenaline - they jump, they run, and they're absolutely gorgeous with those electric blues and greens. Marathon's position near the Gulf Stream makes it prime mahi territory, especially from March through September. They school around floating debris, so when you find one, there's usually more underneath. A good-sized bull mahi can push 20-30 pounds, and the meat is sweet and mild - perfect for fish tacos or ceviche.
Cero Mackerel are the speed demons of the reef, and they'll test your reflexes when they hit your bait. These fish are built for speed with razor-sharp teeth to match. They're most active during the warmer months and are fantastic on light tackle. Ceros typically run 2-8 pounds, but they fight way above their weight class. They're excellent eating when bled and iced immediately - the meat has a rich flavor that's perfect for smoking or making fish cakes.
Marathon's offshore fishing scene is trending upward, and this full-day charter format is becoming a customer favorite for good reason. You're getting a complete offshore experience without the rushed feeling of shorter trips. The combination of bottom fishing, trolling, and drift fishing means you're constantly adapting to conditions and targeting different species throughout the day. With gear, bait, licenses, and water all included, you're looking at one of the best values for a full-day offshore trip in the Keys. The 6-angler capacity keeps things manageable while still letting you share the experience with friends or family. Don't wait on this one - the best fishing days book up fast, especially during peak season.
The Wellcraft 290 Coastal is your ticket to serious offshore fishing action in the pristine waters around Marathon. This well-equipped 29-footer handles the open ocean with confidence, powered by reliable engines that get you to the fishing grounds fast. The spacious cockpit gives your group of up to 6 anglers plenty of room to work, whether you're battling a stubborn grouper on the bottom or chasing down a screaming mahi on the surface. What sets this boat apart is the attention to fishing details - a massive 42-gallon Kodiak Pro-Flow baitwell keeps your bait lively all day, while dual fish boxes ensure your catch stays fresh. Flush-mounted rod holders keep your gear secure during the run, and the electronics-ready helm houses a GPS and fish finder to locate the hottest spots and structure. Between battles with yellowtail and mangrove snapper, you'll appreciate the onboard kitchen and refrigerator for snacks, plus an icebox for drinks. The air conditioning provides welcome relief from the Florida sun, and there's even a head onboard for convenience during those long days chasing wahoo and tuna in the Gulf Stream.
Mycteroperca BonaciBlack grouper are powerhouse bottom dwellers that'll test your gear and stamina. These olive-gray bruisers with dark blotches typically run 10-30 pounds, though giants over 100 pounds lurk around deep wrecks and ledges. You'll find them from 30 feet inshore during cooler months to 300 feet offshore in summer. They're ambush predators with massive mouths that inhale prey whole - no gentle nibbles here. When hooked, they make bulldozing runs straight for the rocks. The meat is fantastic with firm, white flakes and mild flavor. My tip: use heavy tackle with at least 80lb braid and 100lb leader. The moment you feel that thump, crank hard and don't give them an inch, or they'll wrap you around structure and break you off every time.
Thunnus AtlanticusBlackfin tuna are the smallest of the tunas but pack serious speed and fight. These beautiful fish average 15-25 pounds with dark backs, golden sides, and that signature yellow lateral stripe that fades once landed. They school up in warm offshore waters, usually 3-20 miles out, and love to chase bait around floating debris or weed lines. Peak season runs fall through spring when water temps stay above 68°F. They're absolute rockets when hooked - making screaming runs that'll test your drag. The meat is top-shelf with a mild flavor, perfect for searing or sashimi. Here's the key: scale down your tackle because these fish have sharp eyes. Use 30lb fluorocarbon leaders and 5/0 circle hooks. When you find one, there's usually more - they travel in schools.
Scomberomorus RegalisCero mackerel are sleek speedsters with bronze stripes and yellow spots that cruise our patch reefs year-round. These torpedo-shaped fish typically run 5-10 pounds and can hit 30 mph when they want to. You'll find them in 10-60 feet of clear water around coral heads, wrecks, and reef edges where they hunt small baitfish. They're considered the best-eating mackerel with firm, white meat that's perfect for ceviche or grilling. The fight is fast and furious but short - they burn out quick despite their speed. What guests love is the topwater action when they explode on surface lures. Balance your tackle between strength and visibility - use 20lb braid with lighter fluorocarbon leaders since their eyesight is sharp. Those razor teeth will cut you off, so bring extra rigs and keep the drag loose on the initial run.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are pure eye candy - brilliant gold sides with electric blues and greens that flash like neon underwater. These fast-growing fish average 15-30 pounds and are built for speed with their torpedo shape and long dorsal fin. Look for them around floating debris, weed lines, or current edges in 100+ feet of water. They're most active during warmer months when baitfish are thick offshore. What makes them special is that explosive topwater strike and the aerial show they put on when hooked. The white, flaky meat is restaurant-quality with a mild, sweet flavor that's hard to beat. Here's a local trick: when you hook one, leave it in the water and cast to the area - mahi travel in schools and the hooked fish will keep the others around. Just watch for those razor-sharp teeth on the leader.
Epinephelus MorioRed grouper are probably the most popular bottom fish we target, and for good reason. These rusty-red beauties with white spots typically weigh 5-15 pounds, though bigger ones lurk in deeper water. They hang around rocky bottoms, ledges, and wrecks from 30-200 feet, with the sweet spot being 60-120 feet. Unlike some grouper that stay deeper year-round, reds move shallower in winter, making them more accessible. They're aggressive biters that'll smash crab, shrimp, or cut bait. The fight is solid but manageable, and the meat is outstanding - firm, flaky, and sweet with that shellfish taste from their diet. Pro tip: use a 20-30lb setup with circle hooks. Once you hook up, keep steady pressure and pump them off the bottom quickly before they dive into the rocks.
Marathon