Fishing in Marathon

Located almost halfway down the Florida Keys island chain, Marathon is renowned for its laid-back charm, iconic seafood, and islands that feel untouched. Compared to its busier neighbors — Key West and Key Largo — Marathon strikes a rare balance: enough tourism amenities to be convenient, yet far fewer crowds. With multiple bridges connecting its string of islands, Marathon provides unique versatility to anglers: calm backcountry flats, vibrant reef ecosystems, and deep-sea canyons are all within arm’s reach, making it the perfect blend of relaxed island life and bucket-list angling adventures.

What sets Marathon apart is its waterway diversity and easy access. Behind the islands, shallow flats greet the Atlantic side with calm, clear waters—often under five feet deep—ideal for wading and poling for bonefish, permit, and juvenile tarpon. These flats are quietly tucked between mangrove-lined shorelines and sandy keys, offering serene beauty and sight-casting opportunities beyond most parts of Florida. To the south and east lie patch reefs and wrecks in 15 to 50 feet of water. Showcasing vibrant coral heads and structure, these reefs teem with snapper, grouper, hogfish, and amberjack. Less than 10 miles offshore are deeper reef structures known as “pinnacles,” where quick transitions into deeper aquatic habitats can yield mutton snapper, wahoo, and even king mackerel during seasonal migrations. Marathon’s crown jewel, however, is its proximity to the Atlantic’s deep blue canyons. Within 20 to 25 miles of shore, the seafloor drops into depths exceeding 1,000 feet—unlocking some of the richest pelagic fishing in the Keys. Here, anglers chase fast, trophy-class targets like sailfish, marlin, yellowfin tuna, mahi-mahi, and even swordfish, making Marathon a destination where deep sea excellence is both accessible and top-tier.

Marathon offers a wide array of species across its water types. On the flats, anglers pursue bonefish, permit, tarpon, snook, and pompano, especially during quieter low-tide sessions. Reef depths bring red, lane, and mutton snapper, gag grouper, hogfish, and amberjack. Offshore and in deeper structure, anglers chase wahoo, cobia, spanish mackerel, and seasonally, a move into the blue attracts sailfish, white and blue marlin, yellowfin tuna, and mahi-mahi, offering an action-packed mix all within easy distance of land.

Anglers in Marathon can use every trick in the book. Light spinning and fly fishing — especially walking-the-dog and popping — are favorites on the flats for bonefish and permit. Nearshore reef trips often rely on bottom rigs with live bait or jigs, ideal for colorful snapper and grouper action. Offshore, trolling teaser-laden spreads or chumming for sailfish are tournament-level standards. Charters blend structure fishing with heavy tackle trolling, delivering a full spectrum of saltwater technique under one local umbrella.