Marathon Shark & Barracuda Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Private 4-hour offshore fishing charter targeting sharks and barracudaExpert captain provides personalized service with top-quality fishing gearFish cleaning services included with professional crew assistance
When you're looking for serious offshore action in the Florida Keys, Marathon delivers like nowhere else. This isn't your typical half-day trip – we're talking about a full 4-hour private charter that puts you right in the heart of some of the most productive fishing waters in South Florida. The team at Manicsportfishing knows these waters like the back of their hand, and they're not messing around when it comes to putting you on fish. From the legendary humps and wrecks that Marathon is famous for to the deep blue water where the real monsters cruise, you'll be fishing spots that consistently produce trophy catches year after year.
Your private charter accommodates up to 6 anglers, making it perfect for families, groups of friends, or corporate outings where everyone wants a shot at the action. The captain and crew bring years of local knowledge to every trip, adjusting tactics based on current conditions, bait availability, and seasonal patterns. You'll be fishing from a well-equipped vessel with all the gear you need – no need to worry about bringing tackle or wondering if the reels can handle what you're targeting. The crew takes care of everything from rigging baits to cleaning your catch at the end of the day, so you can focus on what matters most: getting tight to some serious fish. Don't forget to bring cash for the first mate – these guys work hard to make sure you have a top-rated fishing experience.
Offshore fishing in Marathon means covering water and adapting to what the fish want on any given day. The crew runs a mix of live bait and artificial lures, often trolling to locate active schools before switching to live bait or chunk baits to capitalize on the bite. When targeting sharks, you'll typically fish with wire leaders and circle hooks, using fresh bonito, mackerel, or other oily baits that create a scent trail in the current. For species like wahoo and blackfin tuna, high-speed trolling with lures or rigged ballyhoo is the name of the game. The boat carries heavy-duty tackle capable of handling everything from 20-pound grouper to triple-digit sharks, and the crew knows exactly when to step up or scale down based on what's biting. Marathon's famous humps and ledges provide the perfect structure for ambush predators, while the deeper waters off the reef offer opportunities for pelagic species that most anglers only dream about.
Shortfin Mako Sharks are the ultimate adrenaline rush for any angler. These lightning-fast predators can hit 60+ mph and are known for their spectacular jumps when hooked. In Marathon's waters, makos typically range from 100 to 300+ pounds, with spring and early summer offering the best opportunities. What makes mako fishing so addictive is their aggressive nature – when they decide to eat, they commit completely. The fight is pure intensity from hookup to boat, and catching one is a story you'll be telling for years.
Wahoo are speed demons that test both your reflexes and your tackle. These torpedo-shaped predators cruise the blue water off Marathon, often hitting trolled baits at incredible speeds. A typical wahoo runs 20-60 pounds in these waters, with their razor-sharp teeth and blistering runs making them a customer favorite. Fall and winter months tend to be most productive, and when you connect with a wahoo, you better hold on – their initial run can strip 200 yards of line in seconds.
Black Grouper represent some of the best eating fish you'll find in Florida waters. These bottom dwellers hang around Marathon's wrecks and ledges, typically weighing 5-20 pounds with occasional brutes pushing 30+. They're ambush feeders that require precise presentations, often hiding in structure until the perfect bait drifts by. The key to consistent grouper fishing is knowing the spots and having fresh bait – something the Manicsportfishing crew has dialed in perfectly.
Goliath Grouper are the gentle giants of the reef, and while they're catch-and-release only, hooking one is an experience you'll never forget. These massive fish can exceed 400 pounds and provide a tug-of-war that will test your endurance. Summer months offer the best chances, and when a goliath decides to eat your bait, you'll know immediately – there's nothing subtle about their bite. The fight is more about leverage and patience than speed, but landing one of these prehistoric-looking fish is a world-class achievement.
Blackfin Tuna are the perfect balance of fight and table fare. These smaller cousins to the yellowfin typically run 10-25 pounds in Marathon waters and are known for their tenacious battles on lighter tackle. They school up around bait balls and structure, making them relatively predictable targets for experienced crews. Blackfins are excellent sashimi fish and provide consistent action when conditions are right, particularly during warmer months when bait is abundant.
Marathon's offshore fishing scene is trending upward every season, and private charters like this book up fast, especially during peak fishing months. The combination of world-class fishing grounds, experienced crew, and top-notch equipment makes this a best trip choice for serious anglers and beginners alike. With no meals included, you can pack your own snacks and drinks to keep the group fueled throughout the 4-hour adventure. The renowned fishing grounds around Marathon produce year-round, but certain species have peak seasons, so don't wait to secure your dates. Whether you're after the rush of a mako shark or hoping to fill the cooler with grouper and tuna, this charter delivers the kind of fishing action that keeps people coming back to the Florida Keys season after season.
Get ready to chase sharks and barracuda aboard our 31-foot Steiger Craft cabin cruiser! Twin Yamaha 300HP engines power you to the best fishing spots around Marathon at speeds up to 50 knots. This boat handles the offshore waters like a dream with radar for those hazy mornings and a fish finder to locate your targets in the deep. The cabin keeps you comfortable between fights with AC, plus there's a bed and toilet for longer trips. Keep your catch fresh in the icebox while the multimedia system provides tunes during the ride out. GPS navigation gets you to those productive humps and wrecks where the big predators roam. With space for 6 anglers, everyone gets plenty of room to work their lines and land trophy fish in these legendary Florida Keys waters.
Mycteroperca BonaciBlack Groupers are the heavyweight champions of our local reefs - these stocky fighters average 20-30 pounds but can push 50+ around our deeper wrecks and ledges. They hang out in 60-200 feet, hugging structure where they ambush prey with those massive mouths. Winter months are prime time when they move shallow, but we catch them year-round on the humps. What makes them special is that bulldogging fight once hooked - they'll try to drag you straight back to the rocks. The meat is fantastic - firm, white, and mild flavored. You need heavy tackle, minimum 50lb gear, because these fish don't give up easy. Here's the key: once you feel that tap, start cranking immediately. They inhale bait whole and will bolt straight for cover, so you've got maybe 3 seconds before they break you off in the rocks.
Thunnus AtlanticusBlackfin Tuna are the smaller cousins of the tuna family but pound-for-pound some of the hardest fighters we target. These beautiful fish average 10-20 pounds with dark backs and that distinctive yellow stripe that fades when they die. They school up around our offshore structure and current edges, usually in 100-300 feet of water. Peak season runs autumn through spring when they're thick around the Keys. Guests love them because they fight way above their weight class with screaming runs and never give up. The meat is outstanding - dark red and perfect for sashimi or searing. They're also great for beginners since they're aggressive biters. Here's my secret: scale down your tackle - use 30lb fluorocarbon leaders and smaller hooks since these fish have sharp eyes and will spook from heavy gear.
Epinephelus ItajaraGoliath Groupers are living legends - these giants can reach 400+ pounds and are strictly catch-and-release due to protection laws. They patrol our shallow reefs and wrecks in 30-100 feet, often lurking around the same spots for years. We target them year-round, but summer and fall offer the best action when they're most active. What draws guests is the sheer size and power - that first run will test every muscle you have. They're curious fish too, often following divers and checking out the boat. You need serious gear - 80lb tackle minimum with heavy circle hooks and strong line since they'll head straight for structure. My trick is anchoring just the right distance from the reef - close enough they'll come out to feed, but far enough to muscle them away from cover before they break you off.
Isurus OxyrinchusShortfin Makos are the speed demons of Marathon's waters - they're the fastest sharks in the ocean, hitting 30+ mph and jumping 20 feet out of the water when hooked. These sleek predators average 6-10 feet and pack serious muscle with those pointed snouts and razor teeth. We find them in open water year-round, but they're most active during cooler months from November through March. What makes them special? Pure adrenaline - they'll test every inch of your 50lb tackle with blistering runs and aerial acrobatics. Plus, they're some of the best eating shark you'll find. Pro tip: once you hook one, keep constant pressure and watch your boat - these smart fish will try to use it to snap your line or even jump aboard! Heavy wire leaders are absolutely essential.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are built for speed - these torpedo-shaped fish can hit 60 mph, making them one of our most sought-after targets. They typically run 3-5 feet long with those distinctive blue stripes and razor-sharp teeth. You'll find them cruising near our offshore humps and wrecks in 50-200 feet of water. Peak season here in the Keys runs July through November when they're most active. What guests love about wahoo fishing is the explosive strikes and blistering runs that'll test your drag system. The meat is white, flaky, and absolutely delicious - some say it's the best eating fish in the ocean. My go-to technique is high-speed trolling at 12-15 knots with wire leaders since their teeth will slice through anything else. Fresh ballyhoo with a diving lure is deadly effective.
Marathon