Marathon FL 4-Hour Fishing & Cruise Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour private inshore fishing adventure for up to six guestsIncludes fishing gear, water slide, and scenic Florida Keys cruiseProfessional charter with Manicsportfishing in Marathon waters
Looking for the perfect blend of fishing action and laid-back Keys vibes? This 4-hour private charter in Marathon gives you the best of both worlds. We'll start by targeting some feisty inshore species in the first half, then cruise through some of the most gorgeous waters Florida has to offer. Whether you're hoping to land dinner or just soak up the sun with a cold drink, this trip delivers exactly what you're looking for without the pressure of an all-day grind on the water.
Your day kicks off with focused inshore fishing in Marathon's productive shallow waters. We'll hit the grass flats and mangrove edges where the fish like to hang out, giving you a solid two hours to work your lines. After we've had our fun with the rods, we'll shift gears completely and take you on a relaxing cruise through the stunning backcountry of the Florida Keys. This isn't your typical head-down, lines-in-the-water marathon session. You can drop a line whenever the mood strikes, cool off with our onboard water slide, or just kick back on deck with your favorite beverage and let the Caribbean-blue waters work their magic. With space for up to 6 people, it's perfect for families or small groups who want variety in their day.
We've got all the tackle you need for up to 4 anglers, so don't worry about packing rods or wondering if you've got the right bait. Our gear is dialed in for the inshore bite we'll be targeting - think medium-action spinning setups with live shrimp, pilchards, and some proven artificials that work well in these waters. We'll position ourselves over grass beds, around structure, and along the edges where the deeper water meets the shallows. These transition zones are fish highways in the Keys, and Marathon sits right in the sweet spot for consistent action. The beauty of this trip is the flexibility - if the bite slows down, we're already planning to cruise anyway, so there's zero pressure to grind it out when the fish aren't cooperating.
White Catfish might not be the glamour species, but they're scrappy little fighters that'll keep your rod bent. These guys are year-round residents in Marathon's waters and they're always hungry. They hit live bait hard and put up a decent fight for their size. Kids especially love them because they're cooperative and easy to handle once you get them to the boat.
Bonnethead Sharks are the perfect introduction to shark fishing without the intimidation factor. These smaller members of the hammerhead family cruise the grass flats in schools, especially during warmer months from spring through fall. They're curious, aggressive feeders that'll take both live and cut bait. Landing one always gets the adrenaline pumping, and they're absolutely safe to handle for photos before release.
Mutton Snapper are the prize catch on this trip - beautiful fish with excellent table fare if you're looking to take dinner home. They're structure-oriented and can be picky eaters, but when you find a school, the action can be non-stop. Summer and fall are prime time for muttons in Marathon, and they'll test your drag system when they make their initial run toward cover.
Lane Snapper are the bread and butter of Keys fishing. These colorful little snappers are abundant year-round and always willing to bite. They're perfect for novice anglers to build confidence, but they're also fun for experienced fishermen who appreciate their willingness to cooperate. They travel in schools, so once you find them, everyone on board usually gets in on the action.
This trip hits different because it doesn't put all the pressure on the fishing. You're getting a taste of what makes the Florida Keys special - productive waters, stunning scenery, and the kind of laid-back atmosphere that makes you forget about everything waiting back on shore. With fishing gear included and the flexibility to fish, cruise, or just relax however you want, it's tough to beat for a half-day adventure. Marathon's waters are fishing well right now, and our calendar fills up fast during peak season. Ready to make some memories? Let's get you booked with Manicsportfishing and show you why this trip keeps guests coming back for more.
Cast off aboard our 2020 26ft Grand Island pontoon boat, perfectly rigged for your Marathon fishing adventure. This spacious vessel comfortably handles up to 6 anglers with plenty of room to move around while working the flats and channels. The reliable Mercury 115HP engine gets you to the fishing grounds quickly, while the fish finder helps locate those productive spots where snook and redfish like to hang out. Between casting sessions, cool down with the onboard water slide or grab a cold drink from the icebox. The GPS keeps us on course through the Keys' winding waters, and the onboard toilet means more time fishing and less time heading back to shore. With gear provided for 4 anglers and bottled water included, you can focus on reading the water and landing fish. Whether you're sight fishing the shallows or dropping lines near structure, this pontoon delivers the stability and comfort that makes for great days on the water.
Sphyrna TiburoBonnethead Sharks are the smallest hammerheads, usually 3-4 feet long with that distinctive shovel-shaped head. They're harmless and actually pretty shy, traveling in small schools around our shallow flats and grass beds. Fall through spring is prime time when they migrate down from the Carolinas to our warmer waters. What makes them special is you're catching an actual shark without going deep - they stay in 3-15 feet of water most of the time. They put up a scrappy fight and are surprisingly strong for their size. Guests get a thrill landing their first shark species. Best local trick: cut a blue crab in half and hook it through a leg joint - nothing beats fresh crab for bonnetheads, and that scent trail draws them right to your bait.
Lutjanus SynagrisLane Snappers are perfect for our mixed-bag trips, running 10-14 inches with beautiful pink and yellow stripes that look like candy canes. They hang around coral reefs and grass beds in shallow water, usually 20-60 feet deep. March through September is peak season during their spawning period when they're most aggressive. What guests love about lanes is they're not line-shy like other snappers - they'll hit your bait readily and fight surprisingly hard for their size. Plus they're excellent eating with sweet, flaky meat. They're often bonus fish when targeting grouper or bigger snappers. Pro tip: they feed heavily at night, so if you're fishing near dusk, downsize your hooks and use small pieces of shrimp - they have smaller mouths than other snappers but big appetites.
Lutjanus AnalisMutton Snapper are one of our most prized catches around Marathon's reefs. They typically run 2-8 pounds but can hit 20+ pounds, with that beautiful pinkish color and blue streaks behind their eyes. You'll find them around coral heads and rocky structure in 15-80 feet of water. They're usually solitary, unlike other snappers that school up. Spring through fall gives you the best action when they're more active. Guests love them because they fight hard, diving straight for structure when hooked, plus they're outstanding table fare. The tricky part is presentation - they're line-shy and picky eaters. Local secret: use a knocker rig with the lightest sinker possible and let your bait drift naturally in the current. Fresh shrimp or pilchards work best.
Ameiurus CatusWhite Catfish are the smallest of North American catfish, usually running half a pound to 2 pounds, though some reach 10 pounds. They're bottom feeders with distinctive white chin barbels and prefer muddy-bottom waters around Marathon's canals and backwaters. Unlike other catfish, they're not strictly nocturnal - you can catch them during morning hours too. They'll hit live bait like shrimp and worms, but chicken liver works great when live bait's scarce. Guests love them because they're rare catches that put up a decent fight for their size. Local tip: let your bait float slightly off the bottom instead of sitting in the sand - these fish use their whiskers to "taste" what's around them, and movement helps them locate your offering.
Marathon