Deep Drop Fishing Adventure in Marathon Keys
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
10hour deep drop fishing targeting Queen Snapper and SwordfishNavigate 30 miles offshore into 1500+ foot Atlantic watersAll equipment, bait, and fishing licenses included for six anglers
Picture this: you're 30 miles out in the deep blue Atlantic, rod bent double with something massive on the other end, and your heart's pounding as hard as the Florida sun beating down on the deck. That's exactly what you'll get with Wet Tails Charters' 10-hour deep drop adventure departing from Marathon in the heart of the Florida Keys. We're talking about targeting waters over 1,500 feet deep where the big boys live – those trophy fish that most anglers only dream about landing. Whether you're a weekend warrior or someone who's been chasing fish for decades, this trip delivers the kind of action that keeps you coming back for more.
Your day starts at 8 AM sharp when we push off from Marathon and head straight into the Atlantic. The run out takes about an hour and a half, giving you time to get your gear sorted and watch the water color change from that shallow Keys green to the deep cobalt blue that signals serious fishing water. Once we hit our spots, you'll be fishing in water so deep you can't see bottom – we're talking 1,500+ feet where the pressure creates a whole different ecosystem. The boat handles up to 6 anglers comfortably, so there's plenty of elbow room to work your fish without getting tangled up with your buddies. Wet Tails provides everything you need: rods, reels, bait, tackle, and even your fishing license. All you need to bring is food, drinks, and maybe some seasickness meds if you're prone to getting queasy – though most folks do fine once we're anchored up and fishing.
Deep drop fishing is a whole different beast from what most people are used to. We're using heavy electric reels loaded with 80-pound test line because hand-cranking from 1,500 feet would leave your arms feeling like jello. The terminal tackle consists of multi-hook rigs with circle hooks and heavy sinkers – sometimes up to 3 pounds – to get your bait down through the water column fast. We'll be using a mix of cut bait like bonito strips and squid, depending on what we're targeting. The technique sounds simple: drop down, wait for the bite, and reel up. But reading the bottom, understanding the current, and knowing when to move spots – that's where experience pays off. The electric reels do the heavy lifting, but you still feel every headshake and run these deep water fish make. When something grabs your bait 1,200 feet down, the rod loads up and stays bent for the entire 10-15 minute fight to the surface.
The deep waters off Marathon hold some serious fish, and each species brings its own challenge to the table. Mahi Mahi are the acrobats of the bunch – these brilliant gold and green beauties love to jump and put on a show once hooked. They typically run 10-30 pounds out here, with the occasional bull pushing 40+. Best action usually happens during the warmer months from April through October when they're cruising the edges and following floating debris. What makes them special is their aggressive nature and the way they light up when fighting – those colors are absolutely stunning. Wahoo are the speed demons, capable of hitting 60 mph and making blistering runs that'll test your drag system. These silver bullets with their distinctive blue stripes typically weigh 20-50 pounds in our waters, and they hit baits like a freight train. Fall months from September through November are prime time when they're feeding heavily before winter. Snowy Grouper are the deep water specialists, living in 300-1,500 feet of water year-round. These white and pink beauties can reach 30+ pounds and are prized for their incredible table fare – firm, white meat that's hard to beat. Swordfish are the holy grail of deep drop fishing, and Marathon's deep waters hold some monsters. These prehistoric-looking fighters can exceed 100 pounds and are known for their endurance – a big sword will test every piece of equipment you have. They're most active during dawn and dusk but can be caught throughout the day in deep water. Blackfin Tuna round out our target list as the workhorses of the deep water. These compact fighters punch well above their 10-25 pound weight class and are fantastic both for sport and the dinner table. They school up year-round in our waters and provide consistent action when other species are being finicky.
This 10-hour deep drop adventure represents some of the best offshore fishing the Florida Keys has to offer, and spots fill up fast during peak season. You're getting access to fishing grounds that most boats can't or won't reach, targeting species that live their entire lives in the deep water columns that define true offshore fishing. Wet Tails Charters takes care of all the details – from the heavy tackle needed for deep water work to the local knowledge that puts you on fish instead of just hoping for the best. Whether you're looking to check swordfish off your bucket list, load the cooler with premium table fare, or just experience what real deep water fishing feels like, this trip delivers on all fronts. The memories you'll make fighting fish in 1,500 feet of crystal-clear Atlantic water, surrounded by nothing but horizon in every direction, are the kind that last a lifetime. Don't wait – these prime deep water dates book up months in advance, and the fish are biting now.
This beautifully restored 1987 Grady White Cuddy Cabin is your ticket to serious deep water fishing in the Florida Keys. After a complete 2021 restoration, she's powered by twin 150HP Suzuki engines that'll cruise comfortably at 35 knots, getting you to those productive 1500+ foot depths quickly and smoothly. The 24-foot layout gives your crew of up to 6 anglers plenty of room to work the lines without getting tangled up. She's equipped with everything you need for a long day chasing snapper, grouper, and pelagics - reliable GPS to mark those productive spots, an icebox to keep your catch fresh and drinks cold, plus an onboard head so you don't waste fishing time heading back to shore. The cuddy cabin provides welcome shade and shelter when you need a break from the Florida sun. Built tough for these offshore waters, this Grady handles the Atlantic swells with confidence while you drop baits down to where the big fish live.
Thunnus AtlanticusBlackfin tuna are the smallest of the tuna family but don't let that fool you - these 20-40 pound fighters are pure muscle. They school up near the continental shelf and love our warm Keys waters, especially during fall, winter, and spring months. What makes blackfins special is their incredible speed and stamina - they'll test your drag and make multiple runs. The dark red meat is rich and perfect for sashimi or searing. You'll find them mixed in with skipjack schools, often feeding under birds or around floating debris. They're extremely line-shy with sharp eyesight, so we scale way down - 30-pound fluorocarbon leaders and 5/0-6/0 circle hooks are key. My best technique is vertical jigging or chunking with live pilchards for chum. Once you find a school and get them fired up, it can be non-stop action.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are some of the most colorful fish you'll see out there - bright gold sides with electric blue and green backs that put on a light show when they come to the boat. These beauties average 15-29 pounds and love hanging around floating debris and weed lines in our warm offshore waters. Here in the Keys, we find them year-round, but they're especially active during our warmer months. What makes mahi so popular is their aggressive strikes and acrobatic fights - they'll jump and run like crazy once hooked. Plus, they're fantastic eating with that firm, white meat. Pro tip: when you hook one, leave it in the water for a few minutes because mahi are schooling fish and the hooked one will often call in its buddies for multiple hookups.
Epinephelus Snowies are deep water bruisers that live way down on rocky bottom in 300-600 feet of water. These coppery-brown fish with white spots average around 30 pounds but can push 70, and they're only legal to keep from May through August with a one-per-vessel limit. What makes targeting them special is the challenge - they're territorial fish that ambush prey from caves and ledges, so finding them takes skill and the right electronics. The payoff is worth it though - they're phenomenal table fare and put up a solid fight on the way up from those depths. Since we're fishing so deep, electric reels are almost a must unless you want your arms to fall off. The key is fresh bait like bonito strips or whole squid on a chicken rig with enough weight to get down fast and stay put in the current.
Xiphias GladiusSwordfish are the ultimate deep water challenge - these massive predators average 9 feet and 400 pounds, living in depths over 1500 feet. They're here year-round but peak from April through September during spawning season. What makes swordfish so sought after is the sheer size and power, plus they're some of the best eating fish in the ocean. These are primarily night feeders that come up from the depths after dark, though daytime deep-dropping can work too. The fight is incredible - they'll make long, powerful runs and can take an hour or more to land. We use heavy tackle with 80-120 pound line and big circle hooks loaded with squid or bonito chunks. Here's the secret: use plenty of lights to attract bait, which draws the swords up. Drop your rig to 300-400 feet at night and be patient - when they bite, you'll know it.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are the speed demons of the deep - these torpedo-shaped fish can hit 60 mph and average 3-5 feet long. They cruise the open blue water around our continental shelf, usually in the top 66 feet, and love structure like weed lines. Peak season here runs July through November when they're most active. What gets anglers fired up about wahoo is that blistering initial run - they'll strip line faster than almost anything else out there. The meat is white, flaky, and mild - perfect for fish tacos. These fish have razor-sharp teeth that'll cut right through mono, so we always run wire leaders. My go-to technique is high-speed trolling at 12-15 knots with minnow-style lures. The faster you go, the better your chances of triggering that explosive strike.
Marathon