Marathon Wreck Fishing: Your Ultimate Charter
Private Trip
Wrecks/Reefs Fishing
Private 34 hour wreck fishing adventure for up to 6 guestsCaptain Greg provides topnotch safety gear and personal serviceProfessional fish cleaning service included with every charter
Captain Greg knows Marathon's wreck sites like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some serious fish. This isn't your typical half-day trip where you're just hoping for a bite – we're talking about targeting structure-loving monsters that call these deep water wrecks home. With up to 6 anglers aboard, you'll have plenty of room to work without bumping elbows, and the 3-4 hour window gives us enough time to hit multiple spots and find where the fish are feeding.
You'll step aboard a well-equipped vessel that's built for serious offshore action. Captain Greg runs a tight ship when it comes to safety – we're talking Viking liferaft, EPIRB beacon, and all the emergency gear you'd want when you're miles from shore hunting big fish around structure. The beauty of wreck fishing in Marathon is that we're not just dropping lines and hoping. These artificial reefs and natural wrecks create entire ecosystems where baitfish gather, and where baitfish go, the predators follow. Expect to work vertical jigs, drop heavy bottom rigs, and maybe even get some trolling action on the way to and from spots. The captain handles all the navigation and fish-finding – your job is to hang onto the rod when something big decides to eat.
Wreck fishing is all about precision and power. We'll be working depths anywhere from 80 to 200+ feet, depending on which structures are producing. The boat comes rigged with quality conventional reels spooled with heavy braid – you'll need that backbone when a goliath grouper decides to head straight back to the wreck. We'll be dropping everything from live bait on circle hooks to heavy jigs that can get down fast in the current. The key to successful wreck fishing is staying tight to the structure without getting hung up, and Captain Greg has the experience to keep you in the strike zone. You'll learn to feel the difference between a fish pick-up and bottom contact, and how to work a fish away from the wreck before it can cut you off. All tackle is provided, but if you've got a favorite heavy conventional setup, feel free to bring it along.
Wahoo are the speed demons of Marathon's offshore waters, and around wrecks, they're ambush predators waiting for the right opportunity. These fish can stretch 4-6 feet and hit trolled baits at 40+ mph, making for some of the most exciting hookups you'll experience. Peak wahoo action typically runs from November through March when water temps drop and bait concentrates around structure. What makes wahoo special is that explosive initial run – they'll scream line off your reel like nothing else, and their razor-sharp teeth mean you better have your wire leaders ready.
Mutton snapper around Marathon wrecks are legitimate trophy fish, with 10-15 pounders being common and 20+ pounders always a possibility. These fish are notorious for their wariness and fight, making them a favorite among experienced anglers who appreciate a challenge. They feed heavily during dawn and dusk periods, and live bait presentations near the bottom often trigger the biggest fish. Muttons have incredible stamina and will use every inch of structure to try to break you off, making each hookup a real test of angling skill.
Black grouper are the bread and butter of Marathon wreck fishing, with fish in the 20-50 pound range providing consistent action and excellent table fare. These ambush predators sit in holes and ledges around the wreck, waiting for unsuspecting baitfish to swim too close. What makes black grouper fishing exciting is the variety – you never know if the next drop will produce a keeper or a monster that tests your tackle to its limits. They're year-round residents, but fishing is typically best during cooler months when they're more aggressive.
Goliath grouper encounters are what separate Marathon wreck fishing from anywhere else in the Keys. These gentle giants, which can exceed 400 pounds, are catch-and-release only, but hooking one is a bucket-list experience. They're curious fish that often approach the boat, and when one decides to eat your bait, you'll know immediately – nothing pulls like a goliath. The fight is more about endurance than speed, and successfully bringing one to the surface for photos and release is something you'll talk about for years.
Blackfin tuna are the workhorses of the tuna family around Marathon's offshore structure, typically running 10-25 pounds with occasional larger specimens. They're incredibly strong for their size and provide non-stop action when you find a school. These fish are excellent on light tackle, but around wrecks, you'll want enough backbone to keep them away from the structure. Blackfins are also phenomenal table fare, and they're available year-round, with peak action during spring and fall migrations when large schools move through the area.
Marathon's wreck fishing scene is world-class, and Captain Greg's reputation for putting clients on fish speaks for itself. With professional fish cleaning service included, you'll head home with a cooler full of fillets ready for the dinner table. The combination of top-shelf safety equipment, quality tackle, and local knowledge makes this charter stand out from the crowd. Whether you're an experienced angler looking to target specific species or a newcomer wanting to experience what offshore fishing is all about, this trip delivers the goods. Don't wait – the best fishing dates fill up fast, especially during peak seasons when the bite is hot.
Ready to target some serious fish in Marathon's legendary wreck sites? Our 31-ft Steiger Craft cabin cruiser is your ticket to the productive fishing grounds that make the Florida Keys famous. Twin Yamaha 300HP engines get you to the hotspots fast, hitting speeds up to 50 knots so you spend more time with lines in the water than traveling. Captain Greg knows these waters inside and out, and with our fish finder and GPS, we'll put you right on top of structure where the big ones hang out. The air-conditioned cabin keeps you comfortable between battles with trophy fish, while the icebox and refrigerator ensure cold drinks and fresh bait all day long. When nature calls or you need a quick break, there's a private head and even a bed for anyone who needs to recharge. Safety comes first out here with Viking liferaft, EPIRB, and radar for any weather conditions. After you've filled the fish box, we'll handle the cleaning so you can focus on planning your next cast. This boat handles six anglers comfortably, giving everyone plenty of room to fight fish without getting tangled up.
Mycteroperca BonaciBlack groupers are bruiser fish that'll test your gear and your arms. Most run 2-3 feet, but they can hit 5 feet and over 100 pounds when you find the right one. They're ambush predators hanging around wrecks, reefs, and ledges from 30 feet out to 300 feet deep. In the cooler months, they move shallow, but summer finds them in deeper water. These olive-gray fish with dark blotches are built for power, not speed - they'll try to bull their way back to the rocks once hooked. Guests love the challenge because it's a real tug-of-war, plus the meat is fantastic - mild, firm fillets that grill up perfect. You need heavy tackle here - 80-pound braid minimum with a 100-pound leader. The secret is cranking hard the moment you feel that thump. Don't let them think about it or they'll wrap you around the nearest ledge and snap you off clean.
Thunnus AtlanticusBlackfin tuna are the scrappy smaller cousins of the big tunas, usually running 15-30 inches and up to 40 pounds. They've got that classic tuna build with dark backs, silver sides, and a distinctive gold stripe that fades when they die. These fish school up in open water near the continental shelf and around structure. Fall, winter, and spring are prime time here in the Keys when they're thick. Blackfins are serious fighters - they'll make blazing runs and dive deep, testing your drag system. The meat is top-shelf, darker than wahoo but rich and perfect for sashimi or searing. They travel in schools with skipjacks, so when you find one, there's usually more. We use lighter tackle than for bigger tunas - 30-pound fluorocarbon leaders with 5/0 circles. Scale everything down because these fish have sharp eyes. Best trick is vertical jigging or chunking with live pilchards to draw the school up and keep them around the boat.
Epinephelus ItajaraGoliath groupers are the giants of our reefs - true monsters that can reach 8 feet and 800 pounds, though most run 100-400 pounds. These stocky fish with massive heads live around shallow wrecks, ledges, and artificial reefs, usually in 30-150 feet of water. They're protected, so it's strictly catch-and-release, but what a rush. Year-round fishing with peak action in warmer months when they're more active. Guests go crazy for the sheer power - that first pull will nearly yank you overboard if you're not ready. They're curious fish that'll actually stalk divers sometimes. You need serious tackle - 80-pound class gear minimum with 600-pound mono and massive circle hooks. These fish have no fear and will inhale your bait whole. The trick is anchoring close enough to the structure to draw them out, but far enough that you can horse them away before they get back to the rocks and break you off.
Lutjanus AnalisMutton snappers are solid fighters that typically run 15-20 inches, though the big ones can push 3 feet and over 30 pounds. You'll spot them by their olive coloring and distinctive blue lines around the eyes. These fish hang around reefs, wrecks, and rocky structure in 80-200 feet of water, though they'll come shallower during cooler months. Adults tend to be loners or travel in small groups. Spring through fall gives you the best action here in Marathon. Guests love targeting muttons because they put up a great scrap and make outstanding table fare - sweet, firm white meat that's hard to beat. The key is using the freshest bait you can get and keeping it light on the weight. Here's a local trick: once you see that pink color coming up through the water, that's your mutton. Keep steady pressure and lead them away from the structure or they'll cut you off every time.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are one of the fastest fish in the ocean, hitting speeds up to 60 mph with their torpedo-shaped bodies. Most run 3-5 feet long, but the big ones can stretch over 8 feet and weigh close to 200 pounds. They cruise the open waters around Marathon year-round, but July through November gives you the best shots. These silver speedsters with blue zebra stripes are famous for their blistering runs and acrobatic jumps - definitely one of the most exciting fish to hook. The meat is white, flaky, and tastes amazing - similar to mahi but with a more delicate flavor. We troll at 12-15 knots with wire leaders since their razor-sharp teeth will cut through regular line in a heartbeat. Pro tip: when you hook one, keep that drag tight and don't give them any slack or they'll throw the hook during their first explosive run.
Marathon