Marathon Florida Fishing Vacations:
Here's What You Need to Know
Before You Go!

Marathon Florida fishing - What could be better than a fishing vacation destination in the heart of the Florida Keys? Now, you might be thinking that one spot is pretty much like another in the string of little gem-like islands better known as the Florida Keys. So, what's so special about fishing in Marathon?

Without a doubt, Marathon is best-known for the explosive tarpon fishing! If you're new to sport fishing, Florida style, then your best chance at landing an amazing catch is with the silver king, the tarpon. Florida Key tarpon fishing begins here in early March and lasts through June for the hottest action, though hungry tarpon are found in the Keys waters year round.

These fish are your best bet to land a large fish - tarpon are aggressive, break the water as they fight, and have marvelously long runs. On average tarpon weigh over 100 pounds and occasionally larger ones are caught, too; some recent ones landed have been over 7 ft and weighed over 200 pounds. It may take from a half an hour to over a couple hours just to bring 'em in. You'll get your workout when you hook one of these babies! This is Marathon Florida fishing at its finest!

If you just want to wet a line, you can head for one of the bridges with some mullet or pinfish for bait and hit the tarpon action at sunrise. Go back to the bridge channels, later in the afternoon, for another try during the late bite of Marathon Florida fishing for tarpon. It's also a good way to unwind and enjoy the spectacular sunsets as you sample some of the best Marathon Florida fishing.

Another popular Marathon Florida fishing attraction is the Mangrove Snapper, which live all over Florida Bay from the brackish water to the deeper holes and also among the wrecks that are scattered throughout the bay. You may find bigger snappers on the reef at depths ranging from 25 - 200 feet. During the summer to early fall spawning season, you'll find snappers in large schools, along the reef line in deeper patches. That's when you should try night fishing to land the bigger snappers. Mangrove respond very well to chum, and will eat shrimp, cut ballyhoo, mullet, and squid. Don’t forget live bait - the larger fish love it.

To help you become familiar with the amazing variety of Marathon Florida fishing, we've put together a nice little fishing chart that tells you what kinds of fish you can expect to catch around Marathon key, and the best time to come down to catch them, too. We hope this chart will help you plan your Marathon Florida fishing vacation.

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Sailfish

Cobia

Kingfish

Snook

Shark

Amberjack

Tarpon

Marlin

Grouper

Yellowtail

Tuna

Bonefish

Dolphin

Permit

Redfish

Snapper

Wahoo

Red=Excellent Blue=Good Green=Fair Yellow=Poor

Are you longing to go charter fishing in Florida? Marathon fishing offers a wonderful variety of fishing opportunities, but if you've never been on a Florida Keys fishing vacation, it's best to hire a private charter, and let the captain worry about the details. This frees you up to concentrate on landing whatever fish you're after!

What kinds of fishing will your charter captain explore during your Marathon Florida fishing charter? Well, sport fishing in Florida is always spectacular, and offshore fishing from Marathon has the added bonus of an underwater platform called the West Hump, which varies from depths of 1,100 to 480 feet, and is the home for lots of prey for the fish you're after.... Big game fish like Mako shark, amberjack, blue and white marlin and lots of other fish are all found around the Marathon West Hump.

There are lots of local charter captains for private hire, and also some larger party boats that are an economical way to enjoy a few hours of fishing, too. How to find a good captain? A good starting place is our Florida charter fishing section.

Do you hanker after some spectacular deep sea fishing? Marathon Florida fishing has that, too! Offshore of Marathon key, fishing further out into the Gulf of Mexico concentrates around the larger shipwrecks and blue holes. These areas are just loaded with Permit, Cobia, Grouper, Barracuda, Snapper, and Sharks. It's a fun family outing also as the kids can have fun watching the dolphins and turtles play around the wrecks.

Again, a nice fishing charter, reserved in advance of your Marathon Florida fishing vacation, will get you to where the fishing is best, and at its peak season, too. Your captain will customize your trip to target the fish you want to catch, and show you how to catch them, too. You'll most likely want to book your charter in advance; find out what the captain provides, and what you'll need to bring along. Generally, the most you'll need to provide is your own sunscreen and drinks. Also be prepared to offer a gratuity; just as in a restaurant, it's in appreciation of the efforts of the crew, and it's customary, too.

Your fishing captain will take care of business while trolling for Dolphin, Wahoo, Tuna, Sailfish and Marlin. Even if you're an experienced angler, a large Dolphin (the fish, not the mammal!) is always a challenge with its acrobatic leaps and runs. It's a thrill of a lifetime to wrestle one of these beautiful fish out in the open ocean. Be sure to bring a waterproof camera and send us pics of your catch, ok?

Oh, and don't forget to ask your Marathon Florida fishing charter captain about night fishing for swordfish - that's been getting very popular in the evenings around the Keys. Those are some beautiful fighters!

With its many beautiful reefs - both artificial and living coral reefs (the only ones in the North American waters), Marathon Florida fishing gets even better. These artificial reefs are made up of wrecks, old lobster pots, and even bridge pilings, too. Most of the artificial reefs have a depth range between 25-200 feet,and offer a variety of angling opportunities for surface, mid-depth, and bottom dwelling gamefish.

Serious reef fishing is also found out of Duck Key at MM 61. Anglers will find great fishing for African Pompano, Big Yellowtail, Mutton Snappers, and Mangrove, along with Permit,Grouper, Cobia, Mackerel, Amberjack, Barracuda, and Sharks.

In the summer, large Mangrove Snappers show up in big schools around the reefs at Marathon and Duck Key. This will make the Marathon Florida fishing action red hot!

An economical form of Marathon Florida fishing is found perched on one of the bridges - it's the perfect place for the person who just wants to "wet a line". As we mentioned earlier, the tarpon action is hot around the bridges of Marathon. The old Seven Mile Bridge and the Bahia Honda bridge are where you want to go for some serious tarpon action. The tarpon like to hang around their and wait for their dinner to move past from the ocean to the bay as the tide changes. Some folks like to feed the tarpon off the docks of one of the marinas - the kids really get a kick out of seeing the fish literally leap out of the water after a snack!

The bridges are a neat mix of fishing pier and artificial reef all rolled up into one package! Excellent fishing can be had from the Long Key Bridge, which is the second longest bridge in the Florida Keys; both the bridges at Toms Harbor; under the Vaca Cut Bridge near mm 53; and some of the most reliable locations are both the east and west ends of the Old Seven Mile Bridge.

A Florida Key fishing vacation isn't complete without a trip to Bahia Honda State Park, less than a 15 minutes drive from Marathon. You'll find not one but two white sandy palm-lined beaches, sparkling crystalline waters...and all the fishing you can handle! Plus, the park has full-facility campsites, and cabins available for vacation rentals, too - just 12 miles south of Marathon key.

Bahia Honda State Park
36850 Overseas Hwy.
Big Pine Key, Florida 33043
Phone: 305-872-2353
Florida state parks are open from 8 a.m. until sundown 365 days a year.
Driving Directions:
Bahia Honda is located 12 mile south of Marathon on US1.

Anglers can fish from the shore, or bring a boat and launch at the boat ramp. Kayaks fishing has become quite popular in Florida, and the park's concession rents kayaks, as well as snorkeling gear. If you want to give the non-anglers in your family something to do while you fish, the park offers boat trips to the reef for snorkeling excursions.

Fish on either side of the Old Bahia Honda Bridge off the old sea walls if you like to bottom fish for snapper or grouper. Fly fishers like the shallow sand flats on the Atlantic side of the park to try their luck for bonefish, permit or barracuda. By the way, spearfishing isn't allowed in the park, and of course you have to know and follow the park regulations concerning your catch.

Be sure to stop by the Dolphin Research Center and the Turtle Hospital, which are working to preserve two of Florida's most famous marine creatures.

Tight lines, and happy landings!

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