Marathon Florida Fishing Charters | 4 Hour Trip
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Fourhour offshore fishing adventure in Florida Keys watersAll gear, bait, and fishing licenses included with charterProfessional crew cleans catch for guests to take home
Picture this: you're standing on the deck of a top-rated charter boat, salt spray on your face, watching your line disappear into the crystal-clear blue waters of the Florida Keys. That's exactly what you'll get with Thrillseeker Fishing Adventures' 4-hour offshore charter out of Marathon. We've been putting anglers on fish in these waters for years, and let me tell you – the action out here is as good as it gets. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting your feet wet, our crew knows these waters like the back of their hand and we'll make sure you have the kind of day that has you planning your next trip before you even dock.
When you step aboard our charter boat, everything's ready to go. We're talking rods, reels, terminal tackle, fresh bait, and even your fishing license – it's all covered. Our boat can handle up to 6 anglers comfortably, so whether you're bringing the family or a group of buddies, there's plenty of room to spread out and fish. The waters around Marathon are legendary for a reason. We're positioned perfectly to hit the reef, the blue water, and everything in between. Our captains have decades of experience reading these waters, from understanding the tide changes to knowing exactly where the fish are holding based on the season and conditions. You'll spend your 4 hours targeting some of the most sought-after species in the Atlantic, and when we head back to the dock, we'll clean your catch so you can take home dinner or have it prepared at one of the local restaurants.
Out here in the Keys, we primarily focus on trolling techniques that are proven fish-producers in these waters. We'll be running a spread of baits – think ballyhoo, bonito strips, and various lures that imitate the baitfish these predators are hunting. Our boat is rigged with outriggers to spread the baits out and keep them running clean, plus we've got all the downriggers and planer boards needed to cover different depths and zones. The technique is pretty straightforward – we're covering water, following the current breaks, temperature changes, and structure that holds bait. When something hits, you'll know it. The drag will start screaming, and that's when the real fun begins. We use quality Penn and Shimano reels spooled with fresh line, and our rods are matched to handle everything from the acrobatic sailfish to the bulldogging cobia. Don't worry if you've never fought a big offshore fish before – our crew will coach you through every step, from setting the hook to bringing it to the boat.
Atlantic Sailfish are the crown jewel of Keys fishing, and Marathon sits right in their highway. These fish are pure athletes – when you hook one, expect jumps, tail walks, and runs that'll have your arms burning. Peak season runs from December through April, though we see them year-round. They average 6-7 feet and 40-60 pounds, and they're famous for their lightning-fast strikes on trolled baits. What makes sailfish so special is their fight – they'll jump completely out of the water multiple times, putting on a show that'll have everyone on the boat cheering.
Tarpon fishing in the Keys is world-class, and these silver kings are bucket-list fish for good reason. We're talking about fish that can easily top 100 pounds and jump like they're shot out of a cannon. Spring through early summer is prime time, when the big migratory tarpon move through our waters. They're notorious for their aerial displays – a hooked tarpon will jump 6, 7, sometimes 8 times, shaking their heads violently trying to throw the hook. They're tough to land because of their hard mouths and acrobatic abilities, but that's what makes them so rewarding to catch.
Mahi Mahi, or dolphinfish as the locals call them, are probably the most fun fish in the ocean pound-for-pound. They're gorgeous – bright gold, green, and blue colors that light up when they're fighting. Spring through fall is peak season, and they love floating structure, weed lines, and current breaks. What's great about mahi is they often travel in schools, so when you find one, you'll usually find more. They fight hard, jump often, and they're absolutely delicious on the table. Most of our mahi run 10-25 pounds, though we see bigger bulls that can hit 40-50 pounds.
Wahoo are the speed demons of the offshore world. These fish can hit 60 mph and when they strike a trolled bait, they hit it like a freight train. They're built for speed – long, torpedo-shaped bodies with razor-sharp teeth that can cut through wire leaders if you're not careful. Winter months are typically best for wahoo around Marathon, and they average 20-40 pounds, though the big ones can push 80 pounds or more. What anglers love about wahoo is the initial run – it's so fast and powerful that it'll catch you off guard every time.
Cobia are the bruisers of the bunch – they don't jump much, but they'll pull like a freight train and test your endurance. Spring is prime cobia season when they move through the Keys on their annual migration. These fish are curious by nature and will often come up to investigate the boat, giving you a shot at sight-casting to them. They average 25-50 pounds but can grow much larger. What makes cobia fishing exciting is their power – they'll make long, steady runs and use their broad tail to bulldoze toward any structure they can find.
Look, there's a reason anglers from around the world come to the Florida Keys, and Marathon is right in the heart of it all. This 4-hour
Hit the productive fishing grounds of Marathon aboard our reliable 33' catamaran, built to handle the Gulf waters with twin 300HP Suzuki engines. This stable platform gives you plenty of room to work the lines with up to 5 other anglers, while the flybridge offers great visibility for spotting fish and bird activity. The fish finder helps locate structure and schools, while GPS and radar keep us on the productive spots even when conditions get hazy. Between fishing the reefs and wrecks, you can grab a break below deck where there's a bed and head. The twin hull design cuts through chop smoothly, getting you to the offshore action faster and keeping you comfortable while you're working baits and fighting fish. Whether you're targeting snapper, grouper, or whatever's biting in these waters, this boat puts you in the right position to make the most of your time on the water.
Istiophorus AlbicansAtlantic sailfish are the speed demons of our waters, averaging 7-8 feet and around 50 pounds. These blue-gray beauties with their massive dorsal "sails" cruise the surface down to about 60 feet, hunting baitfish in schools. Winter months bring the best action here in the Keys when they move into our warmer waters. What makes them special? Pure athleticism - they'll leap, dive, and put on an aerial show that'll get your heart pumping. Plus they change colors when excited, flashing blues and blacks during the fight. Here's a local tip: when you see that sail break the surface, don't get too eager on the hookset. Let them take the bait and start their first run before you tighten up - patience pays off with these acrobats.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are like the bulldogs of the sea - brown, stocky fish that average 30-50 pounds and fight with surprising power. They cruise solo around reefs, wrecks, and channel markers, usually in 20-60 feet of water. Spring migration brings the best action, especially March through May when they're moving north to spawn. What guests love is the sight fishing - spotting these "brown sharks" cruising near the surface, then making the perfect cast. They're excellent table fare too, with firm white meat. Being solitary makes each one special since you won't find schools. Local trick: when you spot a cobia, don't cast right at it. Lead the fish by 10-15 feet and work your jig or bait into its path. They're curious but spook easily with direct hits.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi mahi are the perfect mix of beauty, fight, and flavor. These golden fish with their flat foreheads average 15-30 pounds and put up a scrappy battle with plenty of jumps. We find them around floating debris, weed lines, and current edges in the blue water, usually within a few miles offshore. They're here year-round but peak in spring and summer when water temps climb. What makes them a favorite? Great table fare with firm, mild white meat, plus they're gorgeous - flashing gold, blue, and green when hooked. They also travel in schools, so when you find one, there's usually more around. Pro tip: when you hook your first mahi, keep one person fighting while others cast right back to the same spot. The school often stays with their hooked buddy.
Megalops AtlanticusThese silver kings are what fishing dreams are made of. Averaging 4-6 feet and 80-100 pounds, tarpon are famous for their gill-rattling jumps and marathon fights. You'll find them rolling in our shallow flats, around bridge pilings, and in deeper channels throughout the Keys. Spring through summer is prime time when they migrate through our waters to spawn. What guests love most is the sheer power and those heart-stopping leaps - a hooked tarpon can jump 10 feet out of the water. They're not great eating due to their bony flesh, so it's all about the fight and bragging rights. Here's what I tell everyone: when that tarpon jumps, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip toward the water. It prevents them from throwing the hook on those wild head shakes.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are built for speed - sleek, silver torpedoes with blue stripes that can hit 60 mph. These 3-5 footers averaging 30-50 pounds are found in our deeper blue water, often around structure or current breaks. Fall through early spring is when they show up best here in the Keys during their migration. What makes them exciting? That initial blistering run will test your drag and reflexes, plus they're premium eating - firm, white meat that's perfect for the grill. They're loners, so each fish is a trophy. Here's the key to hooking wahoo: troll fast, around 12-15 knots, with wire leaders. Their razor teeth will slice through anything else. When you get a strike, don't slow down right away - keep that lure moving until the fish is properly hooked or they'll let go.
Marathon, FL