6-8 HR Offshore Fishing Trip in Marathon
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
6-8 hour offshore fishing adventure targeting premium speciesMarathon Hump trolling for Mahi, Tuna, and WahooReef fishing backup option includes Grouper and Snapper
Looking for some serious fishing action in the Florida Keys? This 6-8 hour offshore adventure with Southern Sons Charters puts you right in the heart of some of the best fishing waters in the country. We're talking about hitting the legendary Marathon Hump, where the action can go from zero to hero in seconds, or working the productive reef structure when Mother Nature decides to flex her muscles. With up to 6 anglers on board, you'll have plenty of elbow room to work your lines and land some serious fish. Whether you've been chasing pelagics for decades or you're just getting your sea legs, this trip delivers the kind of fishing stories you'll be telling for years.
Your day starts early, but trust me, it's worth every minute of lost sleep. We'll load up the gear and head out toward the Marathon Hump, that underwater mountain that sits about 15 miles offshore and acts like a magnet for everything with fins. The ride out gives you time to rig up, grab some coffee, and watch the sun paint the water as we cruise past some of the most beautiful scenery in the Keys. Once we hit the productive water, it's game on. The Hump is famous for holding schools of mahi, blackfin tuna, and those lightning-fast wahoo that'll test your drag system and your reflexes. When conditions get rough out there – and they do – we're not stuck hoping for the best. The reef fishing around Marathon is world-class, with structure that holds monster grouper, feisty yellowtail snapper, and cobia that cruise the edges looking for an easy meal. The flexibility to switch between deep water and reef fishing means you're always fishing, not just riding waves and hoping.
Out on the Hump, we're primarily trolling with a spread that covers different depths and speeds. Think ballyhoo rigged on circle hooks behind sea witches, maybe some feathers for the tuna, and always a few bigger baits swimming back there for wahoo. The key is covering water and staying ready – when a school of mahi shows up, things happen fast, and you want multiple lines working different zones. When we switch to reef fishing, it's a completely different game. We're talking about precision bottom fishing with spinning gear, using everything from live pilchards to cut bait, depending on what's feeding. Drift fishing lets the current do the work while you focus on feeling that telltale thump of a grouper or the steady pull of a mutton snapper. The beauty of this trip is mixing techniques – one minute you're fighting a wahoo on the surface, the next you're cranking up a black grouper from 80 feet down. Each technique requires different skills, but that's what keeps the day interesting and productive.
Mahi mahi are the crown jewel of offshore fishing here, and for good reason. These electric-colored fighters show up in schools around floating debris, weed lines, and structure like the Marathon Hump. Spring through fall is prime time, with fish ranging from small schoolies around 5 pounds to bull dolphins pushing 40 pounds. What makes mahi so special isn't just their acrobatic fights – though watching one tailwalk across the surface never gets old – it's their willingness to bite and the way they school up. Find one, and there's usually more underneath.
Wahoo are pure speed and attitude wrapped in razor-sharp teeth. These torpedo-shaped predators cruise the edges of the Gulf Stream and around structure, hitting trolled baits at speeds that'll make your reel scream. Most wahoo here run 20-40 pounds, but 50-pounders show up often enough to keep things interesting. Winter months can be especially productive when these fish move through in numbers, and their firm, white meat makes them a favorite for the dinner table.
Blackfin tuna might not be the giants you see on TV, but pound-for-pound, few fish fight harder. These 10-20 pound dynamos travel in schools and feed aggressively around structure and temperature breaks. They're incredibly fast, surprisingly strong for their size, and when you find a feeding school, the action can be non-stop. Plus, they make some of the best sashimi you'll ever taste.
Black grouper are the reef kings around Marathon, and landing a big one is like winning the lottery. These ambush predators hide in holes and ledges, waiting to inhale anything that swims by. A 20-pound black grouper will test every inch of your tackle and your technique – they fight dirty, diving straight back to their holes and using every trick they know. The bigger ones, pushing 40-50 pounds, are the stuff of legends and dinner table bragging rights.
Cobia are the wild cards that can show up anywhere from the surface to the bottom. These curious, shark-like fish cruise around looking for crabs, baitfish, and pretty much anything edible. They're strong fighters that make long runs and have a habit of following hooked fish to the boat, giving you shots at multiple hookups. Spring migration brings some real giants through these waters, with fish over 40 pounds not uncommon.
This isn't your typical half-day trip where you're just getting started when it's time to head home. Six to eight hours on the water gives you real time to work different areas, try various techniques, and adapt to what the fish are telling you. The Marathon area offers some of the most consistent offshore fishing in Florida, with the flexibility to fish deep water or reef structure depending on conditions. Southern Sons Charters knows these waters like the back of their hand, and that local knowledge makes all the difference between a good day and a great day. Whether you're looking to check some bucket-list species off your list or just want to spend a day doing some serious fishing with friends, this trip delivers the goods. The fish are
You'll be fishing from a brand-new 2022 Fountain 38-footer that's built for serious offshore action in Marathon's waters. Triple 300HP Mercury engines get you out to the Marathon Hump fast, cruising at 44 knots when you need to cover ground quickly. The center console design gives all six anglers plenty of room to move around whether you're trolling for mahi and wahoo or dropping lines on the reef for grouper and snapper. GPS and fish finder help locate the hot spots, while radar keeps you safe when weather rolls in. The boat handles big water with ease, so you can focus on what matters most - getting your lines in the water and landing fish. VHF radio keeps you connected to other boats and the latest fishing reports. This setup is perfect for targeting everything from yellowtails on the reef to big pelagics in deeper water.
Mycteroperca BonaciBlack grouper are the heavyweights of the reef system - these ambush predators can reach 100+ pounds, though most we catch run 10-30 pounds. You'll find them around wrecks, ledges, and rocky bottom in 60-200 feet, where they use their powerful jaws to inhale anything that swims by. They're available year-round, but cooler months bring them into shallower water where they're easier to target. Anglers love the challenge because once hooked, these fish dive straight for the rocks and test every piece of your gear. The payoff is some of the best eating fish in the ocean - mild, flaky white meat that's restaurant quality. Here's the secret: use heavy tackle with at least 80-pound braid and 100-pound leader, and the second you feel that thump, start cranking hard to keep them off the bottom.
Thunnus AtlanticusBlackfin tuna are the smaller cousins in the tuna family, but don't let that fool you - these 10-25 pound speedsters are pure muscle. They school up in open water and are most active during fall, winter, and spring around here. You'll spot them by their dark backs and that distinctive yellow stripe that fades when they come out of water. What makes blackfin special is their incredible fighting ability for their size and their sashimi-grade meat that's perfect for the table. They're sharp-eyed fish, so you need to scale down your tackle - I use 30-pound fluorocarbon leaders and 5/0 circle hooks. The trick is chunking with live pilchards to get them fired up, then vertical jig once you find the school. These fish will make your drag scream.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the bulldogs of the reef - these bronze-colored fish can reach 6 feet and 100 pounds, though most run 20-40 pounds. They're curious fish that often cruise near the surface around wrecks, reefs, and structures in 30-70 feet of water. Spring migration from March through May is prime time, but we catch them all summer around local structure. What makes cobia special is their willingness to eat almost anything you throw at them, plus they're phenomenal table fare - firm, white meat that rivals any fish in these waters. They're strong fighters that'll test your drag system. My go-to technique is sight fishing with bucktail jigs in 4-8 oz sizes. When you see one cruising, drop that jig right in front of its nose and work it slow - they can't resist it.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are some of the most colorful fish you'll find out here - brilliant gold sides with electric blue and green backs that put on a light show when they come out of the water. They're fast growers, usually running 15-29 pounds and about 3 feet long, though we've seen some monsters. These fish love hanging around floating debris and weed lines in open water. Best time to target them is spring through fall when they're moving through our area. What makes mahi special is their aggressive strikes on trolled baits and the incredible fight they put up - plus they're absolutely delicious on the table with that firm, white meat. Pro tip: when you hook one, keep the boat moving and look for others - they often travel in small groups, so where there's one mahi, there's usually more nearby.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are built for speed - these torpedo-shaped fish can hit 60 mph and average 3-5 feet long. You'll recognize them by their razor-sharp teeth and distinctive blue stripes along silver sides. We find them in open water, usually in the top 60 feet, especially around the Hump during our peak season from July through November. What gets anglers fired up about wahoo is their blistering runs when hooked - they'll peel line off your reel like nothing else. The meat is fantastic too - firm, white, and mild-tasting, perfect for the grill. Here's the key to landing these speed demons: use wire leaders because their teeth will slice through anything else, and troll fast at 12-15 knots. Most guys go too slow and miss out on these fish entirely.
Marathon