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Marathon FL's Premier Combo Fishing Charter
- Published Date: September 17, 2025
- Fishing
- Marathon
- Updated Date: January 12, 2026
Summary
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Reefs to Blue Water
Marathon FL Combo Charter: Reefs, Wrecks & Offshore
When you're looking for the best of both worlds in Marathon's fishing scene, Captain Johnny Maddox's combo charter delivers exactly what serious anglers want. This isn't your typical half-day trip where you're locked into one spot – we're talking about a full 6-hour adventure that lets you sample everything from shallow reef action to deep-water battles. Whether you're after that perfect grouper photo or want to test your skills against offshore pelagics, this top-rated charter gives you the flexibility to chase whatever's biting best that day.
What to Expect on the Water
Your day starts at Marathon's working docks, where you'll meet up with your crew and get the lowdown on conditions. The beauty of this combo charter is that nothing's set in stone – if the reef bite is hot, we'll work those ledges hard. If the Gulf's looking good or the offshore action is calling, we've got the range to get there. You're looking at up to 4 anglers max, which means plenty of elbow room and personalized attention from the crew. All your tackle's handled – rods, reels, bait, and terminal gear are included, so you can focus on the fishing instead of rigging up. The boat's equipped to handle everything from bottom fishing the wrecks to trolling for pelagics, and the crew knows exactly where to find the fish based on season, weather, and recent reports.
Techniques & Target Zones
Marathon sits right in the sweet spot where the Gulf meets the Atlantic, giving you access to some of Florida's most productive fishing grounds. When we're working the reefs and wrecks, you'll be dropping baits in 40-120 feet of water, targeting structure that holds snapper, grouper, and amberjack. The crew uses everything from live pilchards to cut bait, depending on what the fish want that day. For the offshore bite, we're talking trolling spreads with ballyhoo, diving plugs, and maybe some live bait if conditions are right. The wrecks around Marathon are legendary – artificial reefs and natural structure that concentrate baitfish and the predators that follow them. When we're working these spots, expect plenty of action on conventional tackle with circle hooks and enough weight to get down in the current.
What Divers Are Saying
"Captain Rip was fantastic! He's personable and clearly knows his stuff when it comes to fishing. We had a world-class haul, catching a sailfish, a wahoo, a grouper, and a handful of other keepers. Thank you for making it such a memorable and enjoyable experience!" - Nick
Species You'll Want to Hook
Great Barracuda are one of those fish that'll get your heart pumping the second they hit your bait. These silver missiles can stretch over 4 feet and are absolute lightning when hooked. Around Marathon, you'll find them patrolling the reef edges and wrecks, especially during the warmer months from spring through fall. They're ambush predators that love shiny baits and moving targets, making them perfect for both live bait fishing and trolling. What makes barracuda so exciting is their explosive strike and acrobatic fighting style – they'll jump, they'll run, and they'll test your drag system to the max.
Yellowtail Amberjack, or "AJ" as the locals call them, are the bulldogs of the reef. These bruisers can push 50-60 pounds around Marathon's deeper structures and they'll give you a workout you won't forget. Peak season runs from late spring through summer, when they school up around the wrecks in good numbers. AJs are notorious for their bulldogging runs straight back to structure, so you better be ready with a tight drag and plenty of backbone in your rod. They're excellent table fare and one of the most sought-after species for serious bottom fishermen.
Black Grouper represent the holy grail of reef fishing around Marathon. These chunky predators can exceed 30 pounds and are masters of using structure to their advantage. They're most active during the cooler months, from fall through early spring, when they move up from deeper water to feed on the reefs. Black grouper are ambush hunters that lurk in holes and under ledges, making them challenging to hook and even harder to land. Their powerful runs and ability to cut you off on structure make them a favorite among experienced anglers who appreciate a technical fight.
Gag Grouper are another customer favorite, known for their aggressive nature and excellent eating quality. These fish typically run smaller than blacks but make up for it with attitude – they'll readily take both live and cut bait around Marathon's reef systems. Gags are most productive during their winter spawning season, when they aggregate around offshore structure. They're less likely to hole up immediately after the hook-up, giving you a better chance to work them away from the rocks. Their distinctive coloration and feisty nature make them a must-have species for any serious grouper trip.
Grey Snapper, often called mangrove snapper in these waters, are the bread and butter of Marathon reef fishing. They're present year-round but really turn on during the summer months when they spawn around the full moon. These fish are incredibly structure-oriented, making the wrecks and artificial reefs around Marathon perfect habitat. Don't let their size fool you – a big mangrove snapper will give you a solid fight and they're absolutely phenomenal on the dinner table. They can be finicky eaters, often requiring light tackle and natural presentations to get them to commit.
Time to Book Your Spot
This combo charter gives you the best shot at experiencing everything Marathon's waters have to offer in a single trip. With the flexibility to target different species and fishing grounds based on conditions, you're maximizing your chances for both variety and success. The 6-hour timeframe lets you really explore different techniques an
Customer Review
Epic Fishing Trip
Nick E.
March 13, 2024
Learn more about the animals
Black Grouper
Black Grouper are the heavyweights of our reef system, averaging 15-30 pounds with some bruisers pushing 50+. These ambush predators live around wrecks, ledges, and coral heads in 30-200 feet, moving deeper during warmer months. They're year-round targets, but cooler water brings them shallower where they're easier to reach. Guests love the arm-burning fight and that sweet, flaky white meat that's restaurant quality. They don't chase bait - they inhale it whole when something comes within range. The key is getting your bait right to the bottom near structure and being ready for that sudden thump. Once hooked, crank hard immediately to get their head up - give them a second to think about it and they'll dive straight back into the rocks and cut you off every time.
Gag Grouper
Gag Grouper are scrappy fighters that love our offshore wrecks and rocky bottom in 40-120 feet. Most fish run 3-8 pounds, but we catch plenty of 15-20 pounders that'll give you a real workout. They're year-round residents, though spring and fall seem most productive. What makes them popular is that classic grouper fight - straight down toward structure - plus excellent table fare with firm, mild white meat. Juveniles hang in shallow grass flats, while adults prefer deeper structure with current. Live pinfish and cut bait work great, but they're not picky eaters. The secret is using circle hooks and keeping your rod tip low when they hit. Don't give them an inch or they'll bury you in the rocks. Lock that drag and horse them up fast - it's a tug of war you need to win in the first few seconds.
Great Barracuda
Great Barracuda are the speed demons of our reefs, hitting 35 mph in short bursts with their torpedo-shaped bodies. These apex predators typically run 2-4 feet long, though we've seen monsters pushing 6 feet. They patrol coral reefs, wrecks, and open water from the surface down to about 100 feet. Spring through fall gives us the best action when they're actively hunting. What makes them special? That explosive strike and blistering first run that'll test your drag system. The meat's decent eating if you know how to prepare it. Here's the trick - they hunt by sight and love shiny objects, so work fast retrieves with silver spoons or tube lures. When you hook one, keep steady pressure but don't horse them - those razor teeth can cut through leaders if they get the right angle.
Grey Snapper
Grey Snapper, or Mangrove Snapper, are some of the smartest fish we target around Marathon's reefs and mangroves. They typically run 1-3 pounds inshore, but we catch 5-10 pounders on the offshore structure. These nocturnal feeders are active year-round, with best action during new moon periods and low light conditions. What draws folks to them is the challenge - they're incredibly line-shy and finicky - plus that sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. Look for them around any structure: docks, bridges, reefs, and wrecks from shallow flats to 100+ feet. Live shrimp is king, but they'll take small crabs and cut bait too. My tip: use the lightest leader you can get away with and hook shrimp through the tail to keep it lively. Let it sink naturally and don't move it much - these guys are opportunistic and spook easily.
Yellowtail Amberjack
Yellowtail Amberjack are built like freight trains and fight twice as hard. Most run 15-25 pounds around our wrecks and reefs, but the big boys can push 40+ pounds. They love deep structure - wrecks, ledges, and rocky bottom in 60-200 feet of water. Summer months bring the best fishing when they move up from the depths. What guests love is that bone-jarring strike followed by a bulldogging fight that'll make your arms burn. The meat's outstanding - firm, white, and perfect for the grill. These fish live near bottom but will come up for chummed bait. My go-to trick is using heavy jigs tipped with live bait dropped right to the structure. Once you hook up, lock that drag down tight and keep them away from the bottom - they'll wrap you up in the wreck every time if you let them.
About the Papa 23
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Vehicle Guest Capacity: 4
Manufacturer Name: suzuki
Maximum Cruising Speed: 45
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower per Engine: 250
Captain Rip was fantastic! He's personable and clearly knows his stuff when it comes to fishing. We had an incredible haul, catching a sailfish, a wahoo, a grouper, and a handful of other keepers. Thank you for making it such a memorable and enjoyable experience!