Snappers, Dolphins & Luxury Views in Marathon
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour private inshore fishing trip for up to six guestsFish mangroves near local houseboats with wildlife viewing opportunitiesWaterfront restaurant lunch stop included during the excursion
When you're looking for a fishing trip that combines solid action with some of the most beautiful scenery in the Florida Keys, this 4-hour private charter hits all the marks. You'll be working the mangrove edges around Marathon, casting lines where the locals know the fish hang out, while keeping your eyes peeled for dolphins, manatees, and sea turtles cruising by. This isn't just about filling the cooler – though the snapper fishing here is top-rated – it's about experiencing the real Marathon, from the floating neighborhoods to million-dollar waterfront estates. Plus, we'll dock at a local restaurant so you can grab lunch and swap fish stories before heading back out.
Marathon's mangrove system is where the magic happens. You'll be fishing around houseboats where folks actually live year-round, creating this unique blend of residential and wild Florida that you won't find anywhere else. The water here holds fish because it's protected, fed by tidal flow, and loaded with baitfish that cruise in and out with the tide changes. Your captain knows these waters like the back of their hand – every channel, every drop-off, every spot where the snappers like to school up. The boat maxes out at 6 anglers, so you're not fighting for rail space or competing with a crowd. All your tackle is provided, from the rods and reels down to the bait and terminal tackle, so you can focus on fishing instead of gear prep.
Inshore fishing around Marathon means working structure – docks, pilings, mangrove roots, and channel edges where predator fish wait to ambush baitfish. You'll be using medium-action spinning gear loaded with 15-20 pound test, perfect for the snapper species that call these waters home. Live shrimp and pilchards are the go-to baits here, rigged on circle hooks to maximize your hookup ratio and keep the fish healthy. Depending on conditions, you might be drift fishing over grass flats, anchoring up on structure, or working the mangrove shoreline with targeted casts. The technique changes with the tide, time of day, and what the fish are telling us, but your crew will walk you through each setup so even first-time anglers can get in on the action.
Red Snapper are the crown jewel of Gulf fishing, and Marathon's offshore structure holds some beautiful fish. These guys are aggressive feeders with incredible fight for their size, and when you hook into a good red, you'll know it immediately. They're built like underwater bulldogs – thick, powerful, and stubborn as hell once they feel the hook. Peak season runs from June through August when they're spawning and feeding heavily, but you can find keeper-sized reds year-round in deeper water around Marathon.
Mutton Snapper are the smartest fish in the water, hands down. They're spooky, selective, and will test every ounce of your patience, but when you finally trick one into biting, it's pure satisfaction. These fish can push 20+ pounds around Marathon's deeper reefs and wrecks, and they fight with a combination of power and cunning that keeps anglers coming back. They're most active during warmer months and are notorious for their last-second refusals right at the boat.
Lane Snapper might be smaller than their cousins, but they make up for size with sheer numbers and willing appetites. These are perfect fish for getting kids or new anglers into the game – they bite readily, fight hard for their size, and taste fantastic on the table. You'll find schools of lanes around any structure in 20-60 feet of water, and they're active year-round in South Florida waters.
Grey Snapper, or mangrove snapper as locals call them, are the perfect inshore target. They're smart enough to keep you honest but aggressive enough to provide steady action when you find a school. These fish love structure – docks, mangrove roots, bridges, anywhere they can use cover to ambush prey. They're excellent table fare and one of the most consistent species you'll encounter in Marathon's backcountry waters.
Mahi Mahi bring the excitement factor that makes offshore fishing legendary. When you find a school of dolphin fish, the action can be non-stop with fish in the 10-30 pound range putting on aerial displays that'll have everyone on the boat cheering. They're incredibly fast, jump repeatedly when hooked, and their brilliant colors make them one of the most photogenic catches in Florida waters. Peak mahi season runs from April through July, when schools move through Marathon's offshore waters following warm water and floating debris.
This trip delivers exactly what serious anglers want – productive fishing in beautiful water with the chance to see some incredible marine life and luxury real estate along the way. The lunch stop adds a perfect break to refuel and plan your afternoon strategy, while the 4-hour timeframe gives you enough water time to really get into the fish without feeling rushed. With all tackle provided and a maximum of 6 anglers, you're getting a personalized experience that larger charter operations simply can't match. Marathon's inshore fishing is world-class year-round, but the best dates fill up fast, especially during peak season. Book your spot with Manicsportfishing now and get ready to experience why Marathon consistently ranks as one of Florida's top fishing destinations.
Our 2021 26-foot Grand Island pontoon boat is your floating fishing platform for exploring Marathon's legendary backcountry waters. Powered by a Mercury 115HP engine, this spacious rig cruises at 25 knots while giving up to 6 anglers plenty of room to cast lines and reel in those famous Florida Keys snappers. The onboard fish finder helps locate schools, while GPS keeps you on the productive spots. Between fishing the mangroves and spotting dolphins, you'll cruise past million-dollar waterfront homes and local houseboats. An icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold, plus there's a toilet for comfort during your 4-hour adventure. Your captain knows exactly where the fish are biting and which waterfront restaurant serves the best lunch. All fishing gear is provided – just bring your appetite for both great fishing and good food in Marathon's pristine backcountry.
Lutjanus GriseusAlso called mangrove snappers, these grey-copper colored fish are perfect for our inshore trips around the docks and mangroves. They average 10-14 inches and 1-2 pounds, though the deeper water fish can hit 20 pounds. What's great about them is they love structure - docks, mangroves, rocks, any cover where they can ambush prey. They're opportunistic feeders, which means they're usually willing to bite if you present bait right. The white, flaky meat is prized by locals and restaurants alike. They're most active at night, but we catch plenty during the day around Marathon's docks and canals. Since they're ambush predators, patience is key - let your live shrimp sit still near cover rather than moving it around too much. Hook it through the tail to keep it lively, and don't jerk when you feel the bite - let them take it before setting the hook.
Lutjanus SynagrisLane snappers are perfect for families and newer anglers - they're aggressive biters with those distinctive candy-cane stripes running down their pink sides. Most run 10-14 inches and 3-7 pounds, so they're great on lighter tackle. You'll find them around coral reefs and sandy areas with good vegetation, usually in 70-230 feet of water. What makes them fun is they're not shy about hitting bait, unlike some of their pickier snapper cousins. They fight harder than their size suggests too. The meat is sweet and flaky, perfect for fish tacos. March through September is peak season when they're spawning and feeding heavily. They're often called "dessert fish" because they show up as a bonus when you're targeting other species. Pro tip: they feed most actively at night, so if we're fishing late afternoon, expect the action to pick up as the sun gets lower.
Coryphaena HippurusThese golden beauties are pure eye candy with their brilliant blues and greens that flash like neon underwater. Don't worry - they're fish, not dolphins! Most run 15-29 pounds around here, though we've seen some real bulls. They love hanging under floating debris and sargassum in the warmer months, usually in 100+ feet of water. What makes them special? That fight is something else - they'll jump, run, and put on a show that gets everyone excited. Plus, the meat is fantastic - firm and mild, perfect for tonight's dinner. Pro tip: when trolling, make your bait skip on the surface like a flying fish. These guys can't resist that action, and once you hook up, keep steady pressure or they'll throw the hook with all that head shaking.
Lutjanus AnalisMutton snappers are some of the prettiest fish we target, with that olive-pink color and distinctive blue lines around their eyes. Most run 15-20 inches, but the big ones can push 30+ inches and really test your drag. They're usually found around reefs and rocky areas in 80-200+ feet, though we catch plenty in shallower water near structure. What's cool about muttons is they're great fighters relative to other snappers - they'll make strong runs and give you a real battle on lighter tackle. The meat is excellent eating too. Spring through summer is prime time when they're most active. Here's my go-to trick: use super fresh bait on a knocker rig with minimal weight, let it drift naturally in the current. When you see that pink color coming up through the clear water, you know you've got a good one.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snappers are the ultimate bottom dwellers and a real prize catch. These guys typically run 1-2 feet and under 10 pounds inshore, but the big ones can hit 35+ pounds in deeper water. They hang around structure - rocks, ledges, wrecks - anywhere from 30 to 200+ feet deep. What guests love is that solid fight they put up, trying to get back to cover and cut your line. The meat is top-notch too - mild, nutty flavor that's perfect grilled or fried. Spring through fall is prime time when they're more active and feeding heavily. Here's the key: use fresh bait like cigar minnows or live pinfish, and get it right to the bottom where they live. Once hooked, keep steady pressure and don't let them get back into the structure or you'll lose them for sure.
Marathon