5.0(1 Reviews)Marathon FL Combo Fishing Adventure
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Wrecks/Reefs Fishing
6hour combo charter targeting reefs, wrecks, and offshore watersAll equipment provided for groups of 46 anglersTarget snapper, grouper, and deepwater game species
Captain Johnny Maddox and the Papa 31 crew know Marathon's waters like the back of their hand, and this 6-hour combo charter proves it. You're not stuck hitting just one spot – we're talking reefs, wrecks, Gulf waters, and offshore grounds all in one epic day. Whether you want to bottom fish for tasty Grouper and Snapper or chase the big boys in blue water, this trip delivers variety that keeps your lines tight and your crew happy. Perfect for 4 anglers who want to experience the best of what Marathon has to offer without having to choose just one fishing style.
This isn't your typical one-trick charter – Captain Rip and his crew run a flexible operation that adapts to conditions, seasons, and what's biting. We'll start the day checking the weather and fish reports, then plot a course that maximizes your time on productive water. Maybe we'll begin on a wreck where the Grouper stack up, then move to reef structure for Yellowtail Snappers, and finish with some offshore trolling for bigger game. The Papa 31 comes loaded with quality rods, reels, and all the tackle you need, plus fresh bait that gets the fish excited. Your first mate will be rigging lines, netting fish, and making sure everyone stays in the action. The boat handles 4 anglers comfortably, giving everyone room to fish without tangling lines or bumping elbows. Just bring your cooler with drinks and snacks, plus good sun protection – Marathon's sun reflects hard off the water.
This combo approach means we're switching up techniques throughout the day to match the fishing grounds. Over the wrecks and reefs, we're dropping bottom rigs with circle hooks and fresh cut bait, targeting structure where Grouper and Snapper hang out. The key is getting your bait down fast and keeping it near the bottom where these fish feed. When we move offshore, we'll switch to trolling spreads with ballyhoo, diving plugs, and sometimes live bait to entice pelagic species like Barracuda and Amberjack. The crew handles most of the rigging, but they're happy to teach you the techniques if you want to learn. We use quality Penn and Shimano gear that can handle everything from 2-pound Yellowtails to 40-pound Amberjacks. GPS and fishfinder technology help us locate productive bottom structure and mark bait schools, but experience reading the water makes the real difference in consistently finding fish.
"Captain Rip was fantastic! He's personable and clearly knows his stuff when it comes to fishing. We had an fantastic haul, catching a sailfish, a wahoo, a grouper, and a handful of other keepers. Thank you for making it such a memorable and enjoyable experience!" - Nick
Great Barracuda are the silver bullets of Marathon's waters, often reaching 20-40 pounds with razor-sharp teeth and lightning-fast strikes. These aggressive predators patrol reef edges and wrecks year-round, though they're most active during warmer months from April through October. When a Barracuda hits your trolled bait, you'll know it – they strike with explosive power and make blistering runs that test your drag system. What makes them exciting is their unpredictability; one minute you're bottom fishing for Grouper, the next you're fighting a 'Cuda that came out of nowhere to smash your bait on the way up.
Yellowtail Amberjack are the freight trains of the wreck fishing world, typically running 15-50 pounds with broad shoulders and serious pulling power. Peak season runs from late fall through early spring when schools gather around Marathon's artificial reefs and wrecks. These fish fight dirty – they'll head straight for the structure trying to cut your line, so you need to turn them fast and keep steady pressure. Amberjacks are curious fish that often come up to investigate the boat, giving you shots with live bait or jigs. Their white, flaky meat makes excellent table fare when prepared fresh.
Black Grouper represent some of the most prized bottom fishing in Marathon, growing to impressive sizes around deep wrecks and ledges. These fish are smart and structure-oriented, often holding tight to the bottom until you present the right bait in the right spot. Best fishing happens during cooler months from November through March when they're most active. A big Black Grouper will test your tackle and technique – they hit hard then dive straight for cover, using their broad body and powerful tail to generate surprising pulling power. Their excellent eating quality makes them a top target for anglers who want both sport and dinner.
Gag Grouper are the bread and butter of Marathon's wreck fishing scene, typically running 5-25 pounds with excellent table quality that keeps anglers coming back. They're most cooperative during fall and winter months when water temperatures drop and they feed more aggressively. Gags are structure fish that relate to bottom relief, artificial reefs, and natural ledges where they ambush passing prey. What makes them fun to catch is their initial powerful run followed by a bulldogging fight that tests your arm strength. They're also one of the more reliable species, often present when other fish are finicky.
Grey Snapper, including the popular Yellowtail variety, school up around Marathon's reefs and provide fast-paced action that keeps everyone busy. These fish average 1-5 pounds but make up for size with numbers and fighting spirit relative to their weight. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, especially during moving tides when they feed actively. Yellowtails are perfect for beginners and kids because they bite readily, fight hard for their size, and taste fantastic. Watching a school of hungry Snappers compete for your bait creates the kind of bent-rod action that makes for great photos an
Meet Papa 23, your ticket to Marathon's best fishing grounds. This 26-foot Proline cuts through the water at speeds up to 45 knots thanks to her reliable 250 hp Suzuki engine, getting you to the reef systems and offshore waters fast so you can maximize your time with lines in the water. Built specifically for serious fishing, she's rigged with outriggers for trolling and equipped with GPS and fish finder to locate those productive spots where snapper and grouper hang out around the wrecks. The bait tank keeps your offerings fresh while the icebox handles your catch and cold drinks. Perfect for up to 4 anglers, Papa 23 gives you the stability and space needed whether you're bottom fishing the reefs or chasing bigger game in deeper Atlantic waters. The multimedia system keeps things entertaining during the longer runs between fishing spots.
Mycteroperca BonaciBlack grouper are the heavyweights of the reef, averaging 10-30 pounds with some pushing 50+ around our deeper wrecks and ledges. They live in 60-200 feet, hanging tight to structure where they ambush prey. Winter months often bring them shallower, while summer finds them deeper. People love targeting them because they're bulldogs - pure power that'll test your arms and your tackle. Plus the meat is top-shelf eating with firm white flakes. They're not speed demons, but once hooked they'll try to drag you straight into the rocks. My advice: use heavy tackle with at least 80lb braid and 100lb leader. Soon as you feel that thump, crank hard and don't give them an inch. They'll suck in anything you drop down there - live or dead bait works fine.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag grouper are solid reef fish that typically run 5-15 pounds, with the occasional 20+ pounder around our offshore structure. They love rocky bottom, wrecks, and ledges in 40-120 feet of water. Cooler months often produce better action as they move into shallower areas. What makes them appealing is their strong fight and excellent table fare - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. They're ambush predators that sit tight to cover waiting for an easy meal. Unlike other grouper, they'll sometimes chase bait up in the water column. Here's the key: use circle hooks with live pinfish or cut bait, and fish right on the bottom near structure. Once you hook up, keep steady pressure and don't let them get back to their hole or you're done.
Sphyraena BarracudaGreat barracuda are aggressive predators that can reach 5-6 feet and hit speeds of 35 mph. They're attracted to shiny objects and hunt by sight, often following divers out of curiosity rather than aggression. You'll find them around reefs, wrecks, and open water from shallow areas to about 100 feet deep. They're active year-round in our waters but bite better during moving water and overcast conditions. What makes them popular is their explosive strike and initial run - they'll test your drag system fast. The meat's decent but not the main draw. Pro tip: use a wire leader and keep any jewelry covered; they're drawn to flash and those teeth will cut through mono in a heartbeat. Once hooked, expect a short but intense fight before they tire out.
Lutjanus GriseusGrey snapper, or mangrove snapper, are crafty fish that usually run 1-4 pounds inshore, but the offshore ones can hit 10-15 pounds around deeper structure. They love docks, mangroves, reefs, and wrecks from shallow water out to 100+ feet. They're active year-round but bite best during moving tides and low light conditions. What makes them popular is they're excellent eating with sweet, white meat, plus they're challenging to fool - they're smart and spooky. The fight's not the draw here; it's the taste and the puzzle of getting them to bite. My go-to trick: use the smallest hook you can get away with and fresh dead shrimp. Let it sit still on bottom near structure - these fish are opportunistic and won't chase a moving bait. Patience pays off with these guys.
Seriola LalandiYellowtail amberjack are powerful fish that average 15-25 pounds but can push 40+ in our waters. They hang around wrecks, reefs, and structure in 60-200 feet, moving up and down the water column depending on bait. Spring through fall gives you the best shot when water temps are warmer. These fish are pure muscle - they'll make long runs and test your drag system hard. The meat is excellent, especially for sashimi-style preparation. They're not picky eaters but live bait works best. Here's what I tell clients: once you hook up, lock your drag down tight and keep steady pressure. Don't let them get back to the wreck or they'll cut you off on the structure. Bring heavy tackle - 50-80lb braid minimum.
5.0 out of 5.0Captain Rip was fantastic! He's personable and clearly knows his stuff when it comes to fishing. We had an incredible haul, catchi...
Marathon