6-8 HR Offshore Fishing Trip - Marathon, FL
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
68 hour offshore trip targeting Mahi, Tuna, and WahooAlternative reef fishing for Grouper and Snapper speciesMultiple techniques including trolling and bottom fishing
Looking for a serious day on the water? This 6-8 hour offshore fishing adventure out of Marathon puts you right in the heart of some of Florida's most productive fishing grounds. We're talking about the legendary Marathon Hump – a underwater ridge that's been making anglers' dreams come true for decades. Captain and crew know these waters like the back of their hand, and they'll put you on fish whether you're swinging live bait or pulling lures at trolling speed. With room for up to 6 anglers, this isn't some crowded cattle boat – you'll have space to fish comfortably and actually enjoy the experience.
Your day starts with a run to the Marathon Hump, where the deep blue water holds pelagic species that'll test your tackle and your stamina. This underwater mountain creates the perfect conditions for baitfish to congregate, which means the big boys are never far behind. When conditions are right, we'll spend time trolling the edges and working the structure with a spread of lures designed to trigger strikes from mahi, wahoo, and tuna. But here's the thing about offshore fishing – Mother Nature calls the shots. If the seas are too rough or the bite is slow out deep, we're not stuck banging our heads against the wall. The reef fishing around Marathon is world-class, and switching gears to target grouper, yellowtails, and cobia often saves the day. The flexibility to read conditions and adapt is what separates a good charter from a great one.
Southern Sons Charters comes equipped with quality rods, reels, and tackle suited for everything from delicate yellowtail fishing to battling bull dolphins. When we're trolling the Hump, expect to see a variety of lures in the spread – ballyhoo rigs, diving plugs, and maybe some live bait if we can catch it fresh. The captain will adjust trolling speed and lure selection based on what's biting and current conditions. For reef fishing, we switch to lighter tackle and work with live and cut bait around structure. Bottom fishing requires a different skill set – feeling the bite through the rod tip, setting the hook at just the right moment, and knowing how to work fish away from the reef before they cut you off. Don't worry if you're new to this – the crew will coach you through every step, from rigging baits to fighting techniques that'll help you land more fish.
Mahi Mahi (Common Dolphinfish) - These golden beauties are what offshore dreams are made of. Mahi are notorious for their aggressive strikes and aerial displays once hooked. They school up around floating debris, weed lines, and structure like the Marathon Hump. Peak season runs from April through July, but don't count them out any time of year in these waters. What makes mahi special is their willingness to eat almost anything – trolled ballyhoo, live pilchards, even jigs worked around floating objects. When you hook one, there's a good chance his buddies are nearby, so keep lines in the water.
Wahoo - If you want to test your reflexes, wahoo fishing is your game. These torpedo-shaped speedsters can hit a trolled lure at 40+ mph, and they don't slow down once hooked. Wahoo are structure-oriented fish, making the Marathon Hump perfect territory. They're most active during cooler months (November through March), often striking wire-rigged ballyhoo or high-speed lures. The fight is intense but usually short – wahoo make blistering runs but tend to give up quicker than other pelagics. Their razor-sharp teeth and incredible speed make every hookup memorable.
Cobia - These brown sharks (as some folks call them) are curious fish that often approach the boat, giving you shots with sight-casting. Cobia love structure and will cruise around reefs, wrecks, and even follow rays and sharks. Spring migration (March through May) brings the biggest fish through Marathon's waters, with specimens over 40 pounds not uncommon. They'll eat live bait, jigs, and even flies if you're into that. The fight is powerful and steady – cobia use their broad tail and strong body to bulldoze toward any structure they can find.
Black Grouper - The kings of the reef, black grouper are ambush predators that live around ledges, holes, and coral heads. These fish require finesse and quick reflexes – once hooked, they immediately head for the nearest cave or undercut. Marathon's reefs hold good numbers of blacks in the 5-15 pound range, with occasional monsters pushing 20+ pounds. They're most active during cooler months and respond well to live pinfish, grunts, or fresh cut bait fished tight to structure. The key is keeping steady pressure and working them away from their hideouts before they can cut your line.
Blackfin Tuna - These smaller cousins of the yellowfin are scrappy fighters that punch well above their weight class. Blackfins school around structure and baitfish, making them perfect targets while working the Marathon Hump. They're year-round residents but bite best during cooler months. These fish will hit trolled baits, live pilchards, and small jigs. What they lack in size (most run 5-15 pounds), they make up for in fight – blackfins are all muscle and attitude, with runs that'll remind you why tuna are considered among the ocean's best fighters.
Marathon's offshore fishing doesn't get much better than this. With Southern Sons Charters, you're getting local knowledge, quality equipment, and the flexibility to adapt to conditions – everything you need for a successful day on the water
Get ready to chase Mahi, Tuna, and Wahoo aboard this brand-new 38-foot Fountain center console! This 2022 beauty runs on triple 300HP Mercury engines that'll get you to the Marathon Hump fast, hitting 44 knots when conditions are right. Built for serious offshore fishing, she's loaded with GPS, radar, fish finder, and VHF radio to keep you on the fish and safe out there. The spacious center console design gives all six anglers plenty of room to fight fish without getting tangled up. When the deep water isn't producing, we can always hit the reefs for Grouper, Yellowtails, and whatever else is biting. Whether you're trolling the blue water or dropping baits on the bottom, this boat handles it all with the stability and speed you need for a successful day on the water.
Mycteroperca BonaciBlack grouper are the bruisers of the reef - thick-bodied ambush predators that average 10-30 pounds but can exceed 100. They live around ledges, wrecks, and hard bottom in 60-200 feet, using their massive mouths to inhale anything that swims by. Year-round fishing here, but cooler months bring them shallower. These fish test your tackle and technique - once hooked, they dive straight for the rocks to cut you off. The reward is some of the best eating fish in the ocean with sweet, flaky white meat. Local secret: when you feel that thump, crank hard immediately. Don't give them time to think or you'll be re-rigging. Heavy gear and quick reflexes win the day.
Thunnus AtlanticusBlackfin tuna are the scrappy little cousins of the tuna family - dark-bodied speedsters that typically run 5-25 pounds with bronze-tinted fins. They school up in blue water near continental shelf breaks, usually 100-300 feet deep around bait concentrations. Peak season here runs fall through spring when cooler water brings them closer to shore. Don't let their size fool you - these fish fight like they're twice as big, making screaming runs and testing light tackle. The dark red meat is prized for sashimi and has that rich tuna flavor. Pro tip: scale down your tackle with fluorocarbon leaders and smaller hooks. Their sharp eyesight means finesse fishing pays off.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the brown sharks that aren't sharks - big, powerful fish that average 20-40 pounds but can push 80+. They hang around structure like reefs, wrecks, and buoys in 30-100 feet of water. Spring migration from March through May gives us the best action as they move north to spawn. What sets them apart is the visual fishing - we spot them cruising near the surface and cast right to them. They fight hard, diving deep and testing your drag. The meat is white, firm, and rivals any fish in the ocean - often called "poor man's cobia" by high-end restaurants. Key tip: use a heavy bucktail jig and be ready to muscle them away from structure quickly.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are one of the most colorful fish you'll see - bright golden sides with electric blues and greens that flash like a light show when they come to the boat. They average 15-30 pounds but can hit 50+ on a good day. We find them around floating debris, weed lines, and current breaks where they feed on flying fish and squid. Best action runs April through September when water temps climb above 75°F. What makes them special is the amazing fight - they'll jump, run, and put on a show that gets everyone excited. Plus the meat is fantastic - firm, white, and mild. Local tip: when you hook one, keep working the area since they often travel in small schools.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are built for speed - these silver bullets with blue tiger stripes can hit 60 mph, making them one of the ocean's fastest fish. Most run 20-40 pounds, but we've seen 80+ pounders that'll test your gear. They cruise the deep blue water around 30-200 feet, often near temperature breaks and current edges. Prime time here is July through November when they move through in good numbers. The strike is explosive and the run is blistering - pure adrenaline. The meat is white, flaky, and sweet - some of the best eating in the ocean. Pro tip: use wire leaders and troll fast at 12-15 knots. Those razor teeth will slice through mono in a heartbeat.
Marathon