Shark Fishing in Marathon's Crystal Waters
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Shark fishing in clear shallow waters with light tackleMultiple shark species including blacktips, bulls, and lemonsProtected inshore waters accommodate groups up to six
Looking for a fishing trip that'll get your heart racing without heading into rough offshore waters? Our shark fishing charter in Marathon puts you right in the action, targeting apex predators in the protected shallows where you can actually watch the fight unfold. We're talking about crystal-clear water so pristine you'll see these magnificent fish cruise up to your bait before they absolutely crush it. With Superfish Charters, you'll experience world-class shark fishing just minutes from shore, perfect for groups of up to 6 anglers who want big fish action without the long boat ride.
This isn't your typical casting-and-waiting kind of fishing day. We start by setting up our chum slick in the shallow waters around Marathon, creating an irresistible scent trail that draws sharks right into our fishing zone. The beauty of inshore shark fishing here is the visibility – when that water's clear, you'll spot these predators gliding in from 50 yards away. Your captain will position the boat in prime shark territory, often in water shallow enough that you can see the bottom. Once we get the chum working and sharks start showing up, it's game time. You'll be fishing with light tackle that gives these fish every advantage, making each hookup a real test of skill and endurance. The moment a shark takes your bait, you'll know it – that rod tip goes down hard, and your drag starts screaming as the fish makes its initial run.
We fish with spinning reels spooled with 20-30 pound test, paired with medium-heavy rods that have enough backbone for the fight but won't overpower these fish. The key is using circle hooks with fresh bait – usually cut bonito, mackerel, or whatever's running fresh that day. We'll set you up with a simple but effective rig: a sliding sinker above a swivel, then a 3-foot piece of wire leader to prevent bite-offs. The chum does most of the work here, creating that scent corridor that pulls sharks in from surprising distances. Your job is staying alert and being ready when that bait gets picked up. These fish don't nibble – when a shark decides to eat, it commits. We'll coach you through the fight, helping you work the fish properly so it doesn't break you off on structure or simply overpower your tackle through poor technique.
Bonnethead sharks are the perfect starter shark for anyone new to this style of fishing. These smaller members of the hammerhead family typically run 2-4 feet and are absolutely everywhere in Marathon's shallow waters. They're most active during warmer months and love cruising grass flats looking for crabs and small fish. What makes bonnets special is how aggressive they are with bait – they'll often hit multiple times if they miss on the first try. Plus, their unique shovel-shaped head makes them instantly recognizable and great for photos before release.
Lemon sharks represent the gold standard of inshore shark fishing around Marathon. These yellow-tinged beauties can stretch 6-8 feet and pack serious power when hooked on light tackle. Lemons are ambush predators that love hanging around structure and drop-offs, making them perfect targets for our chum-and-wait strategy. They're most active during dawn and dusk but will feed throughout the day when conditions are right. What sets lemon sharks apart is their fighting style – they make powerful initial runs but then often come up and thrash on the surface, giving everyone on the boat a show. They're also one of the most photogenic sharks we catch, with that distinctive golden color really popping in clear water.
Bull sharks are the heavyweight champions of our local shark fishing scene. These thick-bodied predators can exceed 8 feet and are notorious for their aggressive nature and incredible strength. Bulls prefer slightly deeper water but regularly move into the shallows to hunt, especially around moving tides. They're year-round residents in South Florida waters but seem most active during spring and fall months. When you hook a bull shark on light tackle, you're in for a serious fight – they make long, powerful runs and have the stamina to keep pulling for 20-30 minutes. Many anglers consider bull sharks the ultimate inshore challenge because they combine size, strength, and attitude in one package. The fight often includes spectacular jumps and surface thrashing that'll have everyone on the boat cheering.
Marathon's shark fishing scene is trending up as more anglers discover how exciting it can be to target these apex predators in shallow, clear water. This top-rated charter experience gives you the chance to tangle with genuine monsters without the seasickness and long runs associated with offshore fishing. Whether you're introducing kids to big game fishing or looking for your next customer favorite fishing adventure, our shark trips deliver the goods. The combination of visual fishing, light tackle challenges, and the variety of species we encounter makes this a best trip option for groups wanting something different. Don't wait too long to book – our most popular dates fill up fast, especially during peak shark season when the action is absolutely on fire.
This 34'9" SeaVee center console is built for serious shark action in Marathon's shallow waters. With room for six anglers, she's got everything you need for a productive day chasing blacktips, lemons, and bulls. The GPS keeps you on the productive flats while the fish finder helps locate structure where sharks cruise. An icebox keeps your drinks cold and your catch fresh, plus there's a head onboard for comfort during longer trips. The open layout gives everyone plenty of room to fight fish and move around when a big shark makes its drag-screaming run. Perfect for groups wanting to stay in protected waters while still tangling with some serious predators.
Sphyrna TiburoThese small hammerheads are the gentle giants of the shark family, running 3-4 feet and rarely over 20 pounds. You'll spot them by their distinctive spade-shaped heads and brownish-gray coloring. They're abundant year-round in our shallow waters around Marathon, especially in the grass flats and channels where they hunt crabs and small fish. What makes bonnetheads special is they're harmless and often travel in schools, so once you find one, there's usually more around. They put up a scrappy fight on light tackle and are perfect for kids or nervous first-timers. Pro tip: fresh blue crab cut in half works like magic - hook it through one of the legs and let it sit on the bottom.
Carcharhinus LeucasBull sharks are the heavyweights you're hoping for - thick, muscular fish that average 8-10 feet and pack serious power. They patrol our shallow waters year-round but really show up during summer months when the water warms up. What makes bulls unique is they can handle both salt and fresh water, so they'll cruise right up into the backcountry creeks and canals. These are apex predators with attitude - they hit hard and fight dirty with bulldogging runs that'll burn your arms. Guests love the adrenaline rush because bulls don't give up easy. They're opportunistic feeders, so big baits work best. My secret weapon is fresh eel when I can get it - the oil content drives them crazy and the tough skin stays on the hook through their violent strikes.
Negaprion BrevirostrisLemon sharks are the bulldogs of our shallow water fishing, averaging 6-8 feet with that distinctive yellow-bronze color that makes them easy to spot in clear water. They love cruising the sandy flats and mangrove edges around Marathon, especially during warmer months when they come in close to hunt. These sharks are built for power - thick bodies and broad tails that'll test your drag system. What guests love is watching them patrol just under the surface before they slam your bait. They're aggressive feeders and put up one hell of a fight, making long runs and powerful head shakes. My go-to trick is using fresh mullet or jack on a circle hook with just enough weight to keep it near bottom - they like to pick up baits while cruising.
Marathon