Does Marathon Have Good Fishing? (A Complete Guide)
Marathon is one of the most popular fishing locations in the Florida Keys and Florida for that matter. Many anglers want to know how Marathon compares to other major fishing destinations.
Marathon is a world-class fishery offering great fishing for bonefish, amberjack, mahi-mahi, grouper, jack crevalle, blue marlin, sailfish, barracuda, snapper, yellowfin tuna as well as wahoo.
Marathon has a lot to offer to fishermen of any skill level. The fishing here is truly special if you enjoy nearshore and offshore fishing.
Best Species to Fish for in Marathon
Among the best species to target in the area are amberjack, barracuda, bonefish, bonito, cobia, mahi-mahi, black grouper, red grouper, jack crevalle, king mackerel, blue marlin, permit, pompano, redfish, sailfish, mangrove snapper, snook, Spanish mackerel, spotted seatrout, tarpon, tripletail, blackfin tuna, skipjack tuna, yellowfin tuna as well as wahoo.
How Does Marathon Fishing Compare to Rest of Florida Keys
Marathon is known as one of the best fishing destinations in the Florida Keys. The town has a convenient location. Located in the central part of the Florida Keys, Marathon provides anglers with easy access to all major fishing spots in the region.
Fishing spots in this area are very productive and relaxing. But most importantly, the destination impresses anglers with its fish diversity. Marathon is home to many species of fish.
Anglers can experience fishing in the waters near Marathon year-round. This makes Marathon an ideal place for fishing in the Florida Keys. Now, let’s take a look at the most common fish species that can be targeted in the region.
Marathon Fishing: Species Breakdown
1. Mahi-mahi
Anglers can target mahi-mahi in the area year-round. A peak season to catch mahi-mahi in the region starts in March and ends in July. Also, mahi-mahi gets active in October. The worst times of the year to target mahi-mahi are between January and February, between August and September, and between November and December.
2. Snapper
Anglers can catch mangrove snapper, mutton snapper as well as yellowtail snapper during their fishing adventures in Marathon. It’s possible to target snapper in the local waters year-round.
However, the best time of the year to fish for snapper in the area is between April and August. Snapper is less active in the region between February and March. The Gulf waters are the perfect place to fish for snapper in Marathon.
3. Grouper
Black grouper, as well as red grouper, can be found in Marathon. Grouper is active in the region year-round. The best times of the year to target grouper in the region is between December and March.
August is the worst time of the year to fish for grouper in the area. Natural and artificial reefs in the Gulf waters attract grouper. So, grouper fishing is excellent in such places.
4. Tuna
Tuna fishing is good in Marathon throughout the year. Anglers can catch blackfin tuna as well as skipjack tuna and yellowfin tuna in the local waters. The best time of the year to target tuna in the area is between March and July. The worst times of the year to experience tuna fishing in the region are between January and February and in September.
5. Cobia
Cobia fishing is excellent in the area as well. Cobia bites well between January and June and between November and December. The best time of the year to target cobia in the region is between February and April. On the other hand, cobia is inactive in Marathon between July and October.
6. Sailfish
Fishermen can also target sailfish during their Marathon fishing adventures. The fishing season in Marathon starts in the early winter and ends in the late summer. The best time of the year to catch sailfish in the region is between February and April.
On the other hand, it makes no sense to target sailfish between September and December. Sailfish are inactive during these months.
7. Tarpon
Tarpon fishing is excellent in the region year-round. According to the local rules, only catch and release tarpon fishing is possible in the region. A lot of anglers choose to fish for tarpon in Marathon. The season to target tarpon in the area is high between March and June.
The worst time of the year to fish for tarpon in the region is between October and December. It’s important to know that there are many fishing spots where anglers can target tarpon in the area. The best tarpon fishing spots in Marathon include Sombrero Beach, Seven Mile Bridge, Bahia Honda State Park, and others.
8. Snook
Snook fishing is good in the region as well. The best season to fish for snook in Marathon is between January and March. However, snook doesn’t bite well between the late spring and the late fall. Bahia Honda State Park is one of the best snook fishing spots in the region.
9. Amberjack
Fishermen often catch amberjack during their Marathon fishing adventures. Spring is the best time of the year to fish for amberjack in Marathon.
The worst times of the year to fish for amberjack in the area are between January and February, between July and August, and in December. Go fishing in the Gulf waters if you would like to catch amberjack during your fishing trip in Marathon.
10. Trout
Trout is one of the top targeted species in Marathon. Trout fishing in Marathon is excellent between January and March. On the other hand, trout are inactive in the area between May and September. Bahia Honda State Park is the ideal place to target trout in the region.
Recommended Fishing Guides/Charters in Marathon
These Marathon-based charters have earned great reviews from anglers and will offer you a great service. The captains are knowledgeable and professional and are sure to put you on fish. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charter’s respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate.
| Recommended Fishing Charters | Location |
| Captain Jay Charters | Marathon, FL |
| Callion Fishing Charters | Marathon, FL |
| Fishing Kings Fishing Charters | Marathon, FL |
| Just The Tip Charters | Marathon, FL |
| Riplines Charters | Marathon, FL |
| Jersey Key “Whitewater” | Marathon, FL |
| Foodchain Fishing Charters | Marathon, FL |
| Manicsportfishing – Pontoon 2 | Marathon, FL |
| Infinite Blue Charters | Marathon, FL |
| Captain Buddy LaPointe | Marathon, FL |
| March Forth Charters | Marathon, FL |
| Runaway Sportfishing Charters | Marathon, FL |
| Jersey Key Charters | Marathon, FL |
Does Marathon Offer Good Fishing?
1. Inshore
Inshore fishing trips are suitable for beginners, families, kids, and anglers who can’t spend a day on the water. Such fishing trips are short and they last half-day. Anglers can target snook, redfish, tarpon, and different species of sharks when fishing in the inshore waters of Marathon.
2. Nearshore
The nearshore waters of Marathon are calm and fish-rich. That’s why nearshore fishing trips are relaxing and productive. There are reefs as well as wrecks in the nearshore waters of the area. Such places attract barracuda, grouper, mackerel as well as snapper.
3. Offshore
It’s worth noting that anglers after trophy-sized fish have little chance of success in inshore and nearshore waters. Anglers should go further fishing in offshore waters if they want to land bigger fish in Marathon. Offshore fishing trips in the area give anglers a better chance to test their skills against such species as mahi-mahi, marlin, tuna, and wahoo.
Best Season & Times to Fish Marathon
Generally speaking, fishing in Marathon is good year-round. Such fish species as billfish, blackfin tuna, mahi-mahi, and tarpon are active year-round. There are also seasonal species that get active at certain times of the year only. That means that fishermen can go fishing in the area at any time of the year.
Spring is the best time of the year to go fishing in the area. The reality is, that the vast majority of fish species are active in the region during the spring months. It’s also important to note that the weather is good in spring. The water is getting warmer and the activity of fish increases. On the other hand, it’s not too hot. So, anglers find it comfortable to fish.
Anglers should plan their fishing adventures in Marathon with their targeted fish species in mind. It would be better to study the bite times of your favorite species carefully ahead of time. Go fishing in Marathon when your targeted species get active.
Hot Fishing Spots in Marathon
There is no shortage of fishing spots in the region. Among the best places to fish in Marathon are the Marathon Hump, Sombrero Beach, Oceanfront Park, Seven Mile Bridge, Bahia Honda State Park, and the Gulf.
Is Nightfishing Good in Marathon?
Nightfishing is possible in Marathon as well. Moreover, night fishing trips has many significant advantages.
It’s a good idea to fish at night in the summer. Summer night tours allow fishermen to avoid heat. That means that anglers find it comfortable to fish at night. Another important benefit of night fishing is that such trips give anglers an opportunity to enjoy both sunsets as well as sunrises. Only a few anglers prefer to fish at night. So, the competition is much lower.
On the other hand, fishing in the dark is not easy. That’s why night fishing is recommended to experienced anglers only. But most importantly, night fishing trips are very productive. For example, many anglers choose to target tarpon at night.
It’s worth noting that tarpon fishing at night is very productive. Tarpon can be found near bridges. So, nighttime bridge fishing has gained huge popularity in Marathon. Anglers can also fish for snapper during night fishing trips in the area.
Is Beach Fishing Good in Marathon?
Marathon has a lot to offer to those anglers, who give a preference to shore fishing. This type of fishing is interesting, relaxing, and very productive. Shore fishing is a good alternative to deep-sea fishing.
There are a lot of places, where anglers can try shore fishing. It’s possible to fish from beaches in Marathon. For example, anglers can visit the Bahia Honda and Sombrero beaches to experience shore fishing in the region.
Shore fishing is also possible on Key Colony Beach. However, shore fishing is only possible when there are no swimmers on beaches. That’s why anglers should aim to go fishing on beaches during the morning and evening hours.
Marathon Beach & Fishing Charters
– Is it a good idea?
It goes without saying that Marathon is a good fishing destination for everyone. There is something for every angler. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced angler, you will manage to enjoy fishing in the region.
Marathon is a destination that provides anglers with fantastic angling opportunities and great experiences. The local waters are full of fish. That’s why anglers often achieve excellent results when fishing in the area.
The destination is surrounded by water and provides anglers with easy access to numerous fishing spots. That means that anglers in Marathon have many options. It’s possible to fish in the waters close to shore or go to deeper offshore waters.
– Is it a good place for charters?
Charter fishing is a great way to explore the natural beauty of Marathon. Booking a charter boat makes it possible for anglers to explore offshore waters and get a great fishing experience. And of course, fishermen should always book charters with their preferences in mind.
Are you going to fish in waters closer to shore? Are you a beginner, who has just started taking the first steps in mastering the art of angling? Or, maybe, you would like to book a family trip to Marathon? If so, it would be better to book a half-day fishing trip.
However, full-day fishing trips are worth booking if you are going to fish in deep offshore waters. So, every angler can book a charter and have unforgettable fishing adventures in the area.
Charter boat captains, who love what they do, would be happy to provide anglers with memorable fishing adventures in Marathon. Highly experienced and very friendly captains will do every single thing possible to help anglers get the most out of their fishing trips in Marathon. Generally speaking, Marathon is the perfect place for charters.
For a complete breakdown of the best seasons to fish in Marathon, please check out this article. For a complete breakdown if fishing is good in Islamorada, please check out this article. For a complete breakdown of fishing charter costs in Marathon, please check out this article. For a complete breakdown if fishing is good in Fort Myers, please check out this article. For a complete breakdown if fishing is good in St. Augustine, please check out this article. To learn how good Fort Lauderdale fishing is, check out this article. For a complete breakdown of the best charters in Marathon, check out this guide.
