5.0(7 Reviews)Marathon FL Half Day Snapper & Shark Charter
5.0(7 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Top Rated
Halfday charter targets snapper and sharks near MarathonMorning or afternoon departures accommodate flexible schedulesAll fishing gear provided for up to four anglers
Picture this: you're out on the crystal-clear waters off Marathon, Florida Keys, with four hours of solid fishing ahead of you and Captain Rip at the helm. This half-day charter with Johnny Maddox Charters Papa 31 is built for anglers who want serious action without burning an entire day on the water. Whether you're an early bird who loves the morning bite or prefer the afternoon heat, you'll have your pick of departure times. The boat handles 4-5 anglers comfortably, and trust me, that's the sweet spot where everyone gets plenty of room to work their lines without stepping on each other's toes.
The moment you step aboard, you'll notice this isn't some cookie-cutter operation. Captain Rip and his first mate have dialed in the Marathon waters like a fine-tuned instrument, and they'll put you on fish faster than you can say "fish on." The crew provides all your tackle, rods, and reels, so you're not lugging gear around or worrying about rigging up. Just bring your cooler with drinks, some snacks, and don't forget the sunscreen – the Florida Keys sun doesn't mess around. This trip works perfect for mixed groups too. Got a buddy who's never held a fishing rod? No problem. The crew will walk them through everything from opening the bail to setting the hook, while experienced anglers can focus on working structure and reading the water.
Captain Rip runs a versatile program that switches between trolling the flats and anchor fishing the reef systems. When you're chasing snapper, expect to drop down to rocky bottom structure where these fish stack up like cordwood. The crew knows exactly which reefs are producing, and they'll have you rigged with circle hooks and fresh bait that'll make those snappers commit. For sharks, it's a different game entirely – you'll be working baits in deeper water, letting them soak while the scent trail draws in blacktips and bulls from the surrounding area. The boat's electronics show every piece of structure, every bait school, and every depth change that matters. When the bite's hot, you might find yourself limiting out within the first hour and switching to catch-and-release for the rest of the trip.
"If you're looking for a great day on the water, you absolutely must book with Captain Rip! He is incredibly knowledgeable and an all-around awesome captain. I can promise you he will get you on some good fish!" - Allison. "This was an awesome experience! I will definitely be doing it again. We caught a cooler full of fish and enjoyed a very chill day on the water. The Captain and his crew mate are incredibly knowledgeable and patient—they took me from not knowing how to open my bail to casting and reeling in fish entirely on my own. They did an awesome job! 10/10 experience." - Brandon. "Captain Brian quickly got us onto a hot spot! We reached our fishing limit within the first hour, and spent the rest of the trip having a blast with catch-and-release fishing. It was an absolute pleasure fishing with Captain Brian." - Lisa.
Grey Snapper are the bread and butter of Marathon fishing, and for good reason. These guys average 2-5 pounds but can push into double digits when you find the right schools. They're structure-oriented fish that live around ledges, wrecks, and coral heads, making them perfect targets for bottom fishing. Grey snapper bite best during moving water, especially around dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding. What makes them special is their fight – they'll make strong runs toward structure, trying to wrap your line around anything they can find. Plus, they're excellent table fare with firm, white meat that's hard to beat.
King Mackerel bring the speed and power that gets your heart pumping. These torpedo-shaped predators average 10-30 pounds in Marathon waters, but don't be surprised if you hook into a smoker king pushing 40-plus pounds. They're most active during cooler months from October through March, when they migrate through the Keys in massive schools. Kings are notorious for their blistering runs and aerial acrobatics – they'll strip line faster than you think possible. Trolling is the name of the game for kings, working live baits or spoons around structure and drop-offs where they ambush baitfish.
Blacktip Sharks are the most common shark species you'll encounter, and they put on a show like no other fish in these waters. These athletic sharks average 20-40 pounds and are famous for their jumping ability – expect multiple jumps when you hook one. They're year-round residents but become more active during warmer months when they move into shallower waters to feed. Blacktips have incredible stamina and will test your drag system with long, powerful runs. They're also one of the best-eating sharks, with mild, flaky meat that converts even non-shark eaters.
Bull Sharks represent the heavyweight division of Marathon shark fishing. These thick-bodied predators can exceed 200 pounds and pack enough power to make grown anglers question their tackle choices. Bulls are ambush predators that prefer deeper water near structure, and they're most active during low-light periods. What makes bull sharks special is their unpredictable nature – they might come up lazy and docile, or they might take off like a freight train. They're year-round residents but become more active during summer months when water temperatures peak.
Lane Snapper might be smaller than their grey snapper cousins, but they make up for size with numbers and attitude. These colorful fish average 8-12 inches and travel in large schools around grass flats and shallow reefs. Lane snapper are perfect for light tackle fishing and provide constant action when schools are located. They bite aggressively on small ba
Meet Papa 23, your ride for chasing snapper and sharks in Marathon's productive waters. This 26-foot Proline cuts through the waves with a reliable 250hp Suzuki, hitting speeds up to 45 knots to get you on the fish fast. Built for serious angling, she's rigged with outriggers for trolling, plus a bait tank to keep your offerings lively. The GPS and fish finder take the guesswork out of locating structure and schools, while the icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold. With comfortable seating for up to 4 anglers, there's plenty of room to work without bumping elbows when the action heats up. The onboard multimedia system adds some entertainment between bites, and snorkel gear is available if you want to check out what's below. Whether you're a weekend warrior or first-timer, Papa 23 has everything you need for a productive half-day on Florida's flats and reefs.
Carcharhinus LimbatusBlacktip Sharks are the acrobats of the shark world, known for those spectacular jumps when hooked. These guys average 4-5 feet but can push 8 feet, and they're surprisingly strong fighters for their size. They patrol shallow waters around reefs and drop-offs, usually in 30-100 feet. Spring through fall is when they're most active in our area. What guests love is their aerial show - they'll jump repeatedly, spinning and twisting. They're also pretty social, so where you find one, there's usually more. The key to hooking them is a good chum line with oily fish like mackerel or sardines. Use circle hooks on heavy braid - they get excited and can really test your drag system when they start jumping.
Carcharhinus LeucasBull Sharks are the bulldozers of the shark family - thick, powerful, and built for a serious fight. These bruisers run 6-8 feet on average and can push 300 pounds. They're unique because they'll venture into shallow, murky water where other sharks won't go. You'll find them around inlets, channels, and anywhere fresh and salt water mix. Summer months are best when they move into our warmer waters. What makes them special is that raw power - they don't jump like other sharks, they just pull hard and steady. For bait, nothing beats fresh eel due to its high oil content and tough skin. The scent drives them crazy, and it stays on the hook through multiple runs from smaller fish.
Lutjanus GriseusGrey Snapper, also called Mangrove Snapper, are one of the smartest fish you'll target around Marathon. These copper-red beauties typically run 1-3 pounds inshore, though bigger ones lurk in deeper water. They love structure - docks, mangroves, wrecks, and ledges where they can ambush prey. What makes them tricky is they're incredibly cautious and will inspect your bait before committing. The meat is top-notch - white, flaky, and mild. Best fishing happens around dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding. My go-to tip: use the lightest leader you can get away with and let your live shrimp sit still on the bottom. Too much movement spooks them every time.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing Mackerel are speed demons that'll give you an arm-burning fight when they hit your bait at 30+ mph. These silver missiles average 20-30 pounds around Marathon, but 40-pounders show up regularly. They cruise the 40-150 foot range, often following bait schools along drop-offs and ledges. Winter months are prime time when they're thick in our waters. What anglers love is that explosive first run - they'll peel line like nothing else. The meat's rich and oily, perfect for the grill. For consistent hookups, rig two hooks on a wire leader with your live bait. Put one hook in the nose and let a treble hang back near the tail since kings love to hit from behind.
Lutjanus SynagrisLane Snapper are the pretty cousins of the snapper family with their pink bodies and yellow stripes that look like candy canes. They're smaller fish, usually 10-14 inches and perfect for families since they're not as finicky as other snappers. You'll find them around coral reefs and sandy bottoms in 70-230 feet, often mixed in with other bottom fish. March through September is prime time when they're spawning and feeding heavily. What's great about lanes is they're aggressive biters and fight harder than their size suggests. The meat is excellent eating too. Here's the thing - they're mainly night feeders, so if you're getting bites during the day, stick around for sunset when they really turn on.
5.0 out of 5.0If you're looking for a great day on the water, you absolutely must book with Captain Rip! He is incredibly knowledgeable and an a...
This was an awesome experience! I will definitely be doing it again. We caught a cooler full of fish and enjoyed a very chill day ...
The captain made this trip everything we expected it to be. The equipment was great and the captain was very knowledgeable, leadin...
Fantastic day! This Captain is easily the nicest and most experienced I've met, offering tremendous value. The experience was hone...
Captain Brian quickly got us onto a hot spot! We reached our fishing limit within the first hour, and spent the rest of the trip h...
Lisa S., Thank you! You folks were awesome. Looking forward to our next trip.
Our trip was absolutely amazing! We spent two days fishing with Captain Rip, and he truly went above and beyond to ensure we were ...
Brian M., Thank you! You folks were awesome. Looking forward to our next trip. awesome trip, hurry ...
We had a fantastic time fishing with Captain Rip! His stories were entertaining, and the fishing was an absolute blast. Captain Ri...
Dawn H., Thank you! You folks were awesome. Looking forward to our next trip.
Marathon