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Fishing charters in Marathon, FL

Top 5 fishing charters in Marathon, FL

Good to Know

Marathon is an excellent fishing destination for those who want to experience backcountry, fly fishing, and deep sea fishing.

Local fishing charters will do whatever it takes to reel in Mahi Mahi, Mangrove Snapper, Tarpon, Barracuda, and many more.

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Inshore fishing charters in Marathon

Marathon is home to some of the best inshore fishing experiences. From the fishing on the flats to the Founder gigging, there’s something for anglers of all tastes and budgets.

You can land Mangrove Snapper, Tarpon, Mutton Snapper, Yellowtail Snapper, and many more.

Inshore fishing trips are very popular with families, couples, and small groups of friends.

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Inshore fishing trip prices

On average, the price for a 4-hour inshore fishing trip is $465 for 2 people. Add $50 for an extra angler. Captains can accommodate 4-6 persons depending on the capacity of the vessel.

The most affordable 2-hour inshore fishing trip in Marathon costs $200 for 2 anglers.

In Marathon and nearby cities, there are more than 41 inshore fishing charters. It’s easy to find your next fishing adventure in Marathon.

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Best time for inshore fishing

May, March and October will be your next best months for inshore fishing in Marathon.

Popular inshore fish species

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Offshore fishing charters in Marathon

Marathon offshore fishing charters have quick access to the open waters, allowing anglers to get a taste of the fishing action on a short trip.

These waters will yield anything from Mahi Mahi and Barracuda to Sailfish and King Mackerel.

Offshore fishing trips are good for experienced anglers, groups for friends, and those who want to reel in a bigger catch. Be ready to travel into the federal waters miles off the coast.

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Offshore fishing trip prices

$770 is the average price for a 4-hour offshore fishing trip and 2 people. Add $50 for an each additional person. Captains can take 4-6 anglers depending on the length of the boat.

The cheapest rates start at $595 for a 4-hour offshore fishing trip near Marathon.

In Marathon and nearby cities, there are more than 29 offshore fishing charters. You will have a lot of choices to book your next fishing retreat.

Keep in mind that it takes time to get to the best offshore fishing spots. It’s better to take a 6-hour offshore fishing trip if you want more fishing action.

Standard tips are 15-20% of the price you paid for your charter if the crew did a good job.

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Best time for offshore fishing

May, March and October will be your next best months for offshore fishing in Marathon.

Popular offshore fish species

Popular offshore fishing charters

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Family-friendly fishing charters in Marathon

Marathon family fishing charters allow families to have a fantastic fishing experience on a budget. Help your children catch their first fish, a memory that will last a lifetime. Your Captain will show you how to bait a hook and catch different species of fish.

Usually, family-friendly fishing trips take place in calm waters like creeks and small bays. These waters generally remain calm even on windy days.

Family-friendly fishing trip prices

Take a quick 4-hour inshore fishing trip. Your family won’t get tired during a short outing.

$436 is the average base price for a private 4-hour family-friendly fishing charter and 2 anglers. Add $50 for an extra angler. Captains can take 4-6 anglers depending on the length of the boat.

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Popular family-friendly fishing charters

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Shark fishing charters in Marathon

A steady flow of warm water makes Marathon an attractive destination for shark fishing. If you want to target these famous ocean predators, then hire a Marathon shark fishing charter.

These waters will yield anything from Blacktip Shark and Bull Shark to Nurse Shark.

Note: you can keep certain Florida shark species, but most sharks are off-limits for harvesting. These sharks have to be released. But don't worry about shark identification. Your Captain will assist you.

Sharks inhabit offshore and inshore waters, from mangrove swamps to reef dropoffs. Juvenile sharks use estuaries and lagoon areas as nursery grounds, while adults could be found in deeper waters.

The best bait for shark fishing is any fresh bloody fish. Live bait for shark fishing consists of Ladyfish, Mullet, Little Tunny, and Blue Runner. Fishing charters prepare the best bait depending on the targeted shark species.

Shark fishing trip prices

$522 is the average base price for a private 4-hour shark fishing charter and 2 anglers. Add $50 for an extra angler. Fishing charters can accommodate up to 6 persons depending on the capacity of the boat.

There are more than 13 fishing companies in Marathon and nearby cities. It’s easy to find your next fishing adventure in Marathon.

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Best time for shark fishing in Marathon

You can target sharks all year round. March-October tends to be the best time to catch sharks in Marathon.

Popular shark species

Popular shark fishing charters

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Tarpon fishing charters in Marathon

Marathon is a great destination for Tarpon fishing. You should have a very good chance at catching Tarpon by hiring one of the local guides. They are ready to share productive spots and methods with their clients.

Tarpon live in bays, lagoons, and even rivers. Shrimp, pinfish, mullet, and crabs would be the ideal fishing bait.

Note: Tarpon is a catch-and-release-only fishery. By law, Tarpon over 40 inches must remain in the water. So be delicate with your catch, take a memorable photo, and let it go.

Tarpon fishing rates

On average, the base price for a 6-hour Tarpon fishing charter is $580 for 2 anglers. An extra guest fee is $50.

You can find 15 fishing charters in Marathon and nearby cities.

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Best time for Tarpon fishing in Marathon

Tarpon fishing season in Marathon is late spring through summer. October, September, and June are the best months for Tarpon fishing.

Popular Tarpon fishing charters

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FAQ

What is included in the price?

Most trips are all-inclusive. Captains provide all the necessary fishing equipment, bait, and cooler with ice. Usually, catch cleaning is free of charge.

Captains provide a saltwater fishing license. This license covers all the anglers on the vessel.

A Fishing charter has to have a federal permit if you are planning to fish in the federal waters.

What to bring on a fishing charter trip?

Depending on the weather, Captains recommend bringing sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, long sleeve shirt, hat, windbreaker, waterproof jacket, waterproof pans, appropriate non-skid footwear, gloves, your medicines, bug bite cream, sanitizer, drinks, and snacks.

Bring your freshwater license if you are planning to fish in the freshwater.

Some Captains don’t recommend bringing spray sunscreen, liquor, weapons, fireworks, and inappropriate footwear.

How to book a fishing charter trip?

You can book a trip with a 10-20% deposit.

The remaining balance has to be paid directly to the Captain on the day of your trip or upon arrival.

The majority of the fishing charter deposits are refundable if you can cancel before the cancellation deadline. On average, a free cancellation deadline is 2-14 days before the trip date. Keep in mind that some of the bookings could be non-refundable.

What are the closest boat ramps and marinas to Marathon?

Fishing charters launch from marinas or public boat ramps. Popular meeting points near Marathon are:

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Marathon is a 13-island fishing paradise. It has a perfect location in the heart of the Florida Keys. You can fish in the shallow flats around the islands, on the nearshore reefs, or in the deeper offshore waters of the Gulf or the Atlantic. So no matter what kind of fish you're looking to catch, you'll find it here. And with more than 50 fishing companies to choose from, you will have a great fishing adventure.

Flats fishing in Marathon could be your next trip. Shallow waters are home to Bonefish, Snook, and Permit. These fish can be elusive, so it takes a skilled guide to find them. Once you're on the flats, you'll need to use a light tackle to bring these fish to the surface. It can be a challenging but rewarding experience.

Marathon is a hotspot for Tarpon fishing. It is considered one of the ultimate challenges in saltwater fishing due to the explosive nature of the fish. Anglers can find Tarpon in the backcountry waters and around bridges. The west end of the Seven Mile Bridge, Bahia Honda Bridge, and Long Key Bridge are the best Tarpon spots.

Reef fishing is best suited for families and anglers who want action. The fish tend to be smaller like Yellowtail Snapper or larger like Grouper and Mangrove Snapper. In addition, there are a few pelagic fish such as Mackerel and the occasional Cobia. The most productive techniques for catching fish on the Marathon reefs are live baiting and bottom dropping.

Offshore fishing is the most exciting fishing adventure in Marathon. Depending on the season and trip duration, you can target Mahi Mahi, Amberjack near the Marathon Humps, and even Marlin miles offshore. These trips could be up to 12 hours, so be ready for a long and exciting journey.

When you go on a fishing charter in Marathon, you should bring sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, snacks, drinks, and appropriate clothing for the weather. The charter can accommodate up to six people. Therefore, it is an excellent option for families or groups of friends. A fishing license is not required for charter guests, as the Captain will have a license for all the anglers on board.

Nearby fishing destinations