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Marathon, Florida Fishing.

An angler's dream is to fish the Keys, whether offshore, backcountry, or flats. Marathon is the ideal starting point, because of easy airport access, the quality of the flats and the Marathon West Hump.

Rising from depths of 1,100 feet to a peak of 480 feet, the Marathon West Hump is an underwater platform that attracts big gamefish, providing an excellent spot for anglers targeting blue and white marlin, Mako shark, blackfin tuna, amberjack and a host of other fish. Marathon is quite different from Key Largo and Islamorada in that the gulfside is deeper and more open, thus creating an entirely different style of bay fishing. Literally hundreds of natural ledges, wrecks and artificial reefs are scattered throughout the bay anywhere from 5 to 15 miles north of Marathon. Depths of these artificial reefs range from 25-200 feet, providing a wide variety of angling opportunities for both surface, mid-depth, and bottom dwelling species. Marathon, Florida fishing reefs attract yellowtail, mangrove, and mutton snapper, along with grouper, mackerel, and the ever-present barracuda. Whether trolling with artificial or drifting with live baits or kite fishing, light tackle offers the angler more of a hands-on form of playing these fish.

If the clear waters of the flats and backcountry are beckoning, go for the Marathon, Florida Fishing Grand Slam of tarpon, permit and bonefish. Anglers often equate true flats fishing to hunting. Success on the flats is measured by the ability to visually locate fish, to quietly approach to within casting distance, to precisely place your cast, and to masterfully play the fish during its long runs over the flats. Backcountry fishing is lots of action and catching many different species ranging in size from 2 pounds to 200 pounds! Backcountry fishing is less technical than flats fishing, and allows the angler to fish in the beautiful, calm waters surrounding the flats and mangrove channels of our national marine sanctuary. Just northwest of Marathon lies Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge and to Marathon's northeast lies the expansive Everglades National Park. Trips into these areas are highlighted by beautiful scenery, plentiful bird life, and superb fishing.

Tarpon, the silver king, is certainly one of the most spectacular of the sport fish. Light tackle and fly fishing enthusiasts know these fish as the greatest shallow water fighters in the world! Nothing compares to the sight of a six foot, 150 pound plus living missile as it leaps from the water twisting and shaking. Tarpon are an excellent fish for both novice and veteran angler alike and can be taken on fly, plug, live bait, and even cut bait. While tarpon are taken throughout the day, the best tarpon fishing occurs during the low light conditions at dawn and dusk. The Seven Mile and Bahia Honda bridges are the sites of the heaviest tarpon fishing action. While resident tarpon can be found year-round, the bulk of tarpon can be found here from February through July.

Regardless of the style of fishing you prefer it's wise to hire the services of a local licensed guide who knows the area and understands the movements and feeding habits of the local fish. Many charter boats are listed below. Marathon is also home to a number of large party boats. Party boat fishing offers an angler a more economical means of enjoying a day of fishing. Fishing from one of the bridges is the perfect place for the person who just wants to "wet a line". The bridges are a combination of fishing pier and artificial reef. Excellent fishing is achieved from the Long Key Bridge, both the bridges at Toms Harbor, and the east and west ends of the Old Seven Mile Bridge.

If you spend a week, you can experience a different kind of Marathon, Florida fishing each day. Marathon offers offshore or deep sea fishing, reef fishing, bay fishing, backcountry and flats fishing.

Be sure to check out Marathon, Florida vacation rentals by owner houses, villas and condos for luxurious, yet affordable accomodations - many times less than the cost of a cramped, stuffy, less-than-clean hotel room.

OFFSHORE MARATHON, FLORIDA FISHING CHARTERS:

A1A SPORTFISHING
297 N. Anglers Drive
Marathon, Florida fishing
305.395.1943

Flats, Backcountry, and Offshore Charters available. Discover the great fishing of the Florida Keys and Key West with a native guide of 33 years.

ADIOS CHARTERS
547 27th Street, Ocean
Marathon, Florida fishing
305.289.9892 or 305.743.2185 (boat)

Fish for Sailfish, Grouper, Mutton Snapper & Tarpon. Book early for March through May. Captain Bob Tittle has been fishing this area for 30 years and uses the best equipment.

AVE MARIE FISHING CHARTERS
1021 11th Street
Oceanside
Marathon, Florida fishing
305.481.0801

BOUNTY HUNTER CHARTERS
5409 Overseas Highway
PMB 339
Marathon, Florida fishing
305.743.2446

Professional fishing for experienced and novice anglers -- catch Mahi Mahi, Tuna, Sailfish, Grouper, Snapper, Cobia, King Fish and more. We specialize in Family Trips, Offshore & Reef Fishing.

CALCUTTA CHARTERS
Key Colony Beach Marina
400 Sadowski Causeway
Key Colony Beach, Florida fishing
305.289.1310

To off-shore anglers around the world, one of life's great rewards is the opportunity to fish the waters of the Florida Keys.

CAPTAIN HOOK'S MARINA AND DIVE CENTER
11833 Overseas Highway
Marathon, Florida fishing
305.743.2444

CAPTAIN PIP'S MARINA & HIDEAWAY
1410 Overseas Highway
Marathon, Florida fishing
305.743.4403

You bring the sandwiches and we'll find the fish - offshore, reef, back country and flats. Enjoy world-class fishing and first-class lodging with our three-day, four-night fishing and lodging packages - customized packages are also available.

CATCH 'EM ALL SPORTFISHING CHARTERS
302 51st Street
Marathon , Florida fishing
305.481.4568

Come on down and catch the big one's with Captain Jeff Shelar in the heart of the Florida Keys. Fish for tarpon, sailfish, dolphin (mahi mahi), marlin, snapper, grouper, tuna and many more.

COMIN HOME CHARTERS
1021 11th Street, Ocean
Marathon, Florida fishing
305.289.4000
Email: fish@cominhome.com

ISLAND CHARTERS
305.872.1612
Cell: 305.395.0308

Fish offshore, wrecks, reef, sharks, back country, day or night.

JERRY'S CHARTER SERVICE
525 82nd Street
Ocean, Florida fishing
305.289.7298

MAIN ATTRACTION CHARTERS
400 Sadowsky Causeway - Key Colony Beach
Marathon, Florida fishing
305.289.0071

NO FISH NO PAY - Satisfaction guaranteed!!! Marathon proven tournament winners. Families welcomed, 27 years experience, well maintained boats: 42' Morgan's and 31' Jupiter. Light tackle LIVE BAIT SPECIALIST.

MARATHON GUIDES ASSOSCIATION
P.O. Box 500065
Marathon, Florida fishing
305.743.5122

PURSUIT FISHING
P. O. Box 2485
Marathon, Florida fishing
305.743.2816

Experience the excitement and satisfaction of a good catch. We're set up to fish for most of the species of fish in our waters (except flats fishing.)

RAINBOW BEND RESORT
Mile Marker 58
Marathon, Florida fishing

REAL FISHERMAN
Mile Marker 53.5
Marathon, Florida fishing
305.743.7366 or 305.289.9933

Easy access to offshore, reef and bayside fishing aboard our 42' sport fishing boat. Custom packages available.

SEADOG CHARTERS
16 Man-O-War Drive
Marathon, Florida fishing
305.743.8255

SOMBRERO RESORT & LIGHTHOUSE MARINA
19 Sombrero Boulevard
Marathon, Florida fishing
305.743.2250

SUNDANCE SPORTFISHING ADVENTURES
PO Box 504345
Marathon, Florida fishing
305.289.1542

TWO CONCHS DIVE & FISHING CHARTERS
10800 Overseas Highway
Marathon, Florida fishing
305.743.6253

Tarpon fishing, offshore fishing, reef fishing, bay wreck fishing. Custom 25' Contender.

BAY CHARTERS IN MARATHON, FLORIDA

MARATHON GUIDES ASSOCIATION
P.O. Box 500065
Marathon, Florida fishing
305.743.5122
e-mail: rfishnfever@worldnet.att.net

REAL FISHERMAN
Mile Marker 53.5
Marathon, Florida fishing
305.743.7366 or 305.289.9933

Easy access to offshore, reef and bayside fishing aboard our 42' sport fisherman. Custom packages avaliable.

BACKCOUNTRY/FLATS MARATHON, FLORIDA FISHING CHARTERS:

A1A SPORTFISHING
297 N. Anglers Drive
Marathon, Florida fishing
305.395.1943

Flats, Backcountry, and Offshore Charters available. Discover the great fishing of the Florida Keys and Key West with a native guide of 33 years.

BLACK GHOST OUTFITTING AND GUIDE SERVICE
MM50
Marathon, Florida fishing

Complete backcountry fishing packages including lodging, guide service, kayak rentals, and fly fishing instructional packages.

CAPTAIN BUDDY LAPOINTE
MM 59
Grassy Key Marina
Grassy Key, Florida fishing
305.743.2871

Specializing in shallow water, light tackle and fly fishing, Captain Buddy LaPointe has over 20 years of local charter fishing experience. He's been featured in Florida Sportsman, the Miami Herald, and on Mark Sosin's Saltwater Journal (seen weekly on ESPN.)

CAPTAIN HOOK'S MARINA AND DIVE CENTER
11833 Overseas Highway
Marathon, Florida fishing
305.743.2444
Email: capthooks@marathonkey.com

FISH N FEVER
P.O. Box 500262
Marathon, Florida fishing
305.743.5122
Email: rfishnfever@worldnet.att.net

FLAT-OUT CHARTERS
Islamorada, Florida fishing
305.872.3831
Offers backcountry fishing charters from Everglades National Park to the Marquesas. 25 years of experience fishing the waters of the Florida Keys.

FLAT-OUT-SPORTFISHING
101 Gulfwind Lane
Marathon, Florida fishing
305.743.7317

Offers the very best in shallow water sight-casting for bonefish, tarpon, permit, sharks, barracudas and other species among the beautiful clear waters of the Florida Keys.

JERRY'S CHARTER SERVICE
525 82nd St. Ocean
Marathon, Florida fishing
305.289.7298
Email: jcs@marathonkey.com

LITTLE NATIVE SPORTFISHING
Captain Ray Rhash
110 Saguaro Lane
Marathon, Florida fishing
305.743.1946
Cell: 305.747.0291
Email: ray@bonefishcentral.com

MARATHON GUIDES ASSOSCIATION
P.O. Box 500065
Marathon, Florida fishing
305.743.5122
Email: rfishnfever@worldnet.att.net

RAINBOW BEND RESORT
Mile Marker 58
Marathon, Florida fishing

ROADRUNNER CHARTERS
Captain Cal Cochran
P.O. Box 500663
Marathon, Florida fishing
305.743.6875
Email:roadrunnerfishing@earthlink.net

Cal Cochran has fished the Keys for nearly 40 years. Whether you're an experienced fly fisherman or a novice angler who wants to experience flats fishing, we'll show you a fantastic time on the clear backcountry waters.

SEADOG CHARTERS
16 Man-O-War Drive
Marathon, Florida fishing
305.743.8255

SOMBRERO RESORT & LIGHTHOUSE MARINA
19 Sombrero Boulevard
Marathon, Florida fishing
305.743.2250
Email: vacation@sombreroresort.com

SUNDANCE SPORTFISHING ADVENTURES
PO Box 504345
Marathon, Florida fishing
305.289.1542
Email: fish@sundancesportfishing.com

THE TACKLEBOX
1901 Overseas Highway
Marathon, Florida fishing
305.289.0540
PARTY BOAT MARATHON, FLORIDA FISHING CHARTERS:

FAMILY FUN CHARTERS
Docked at Crystal Bay Resort
Marathon, Florida fishing
305.743.4691

Offers daily light tackle fishing trips for the novice to experienced angler.

MARATHON LADY
MM 53
US 1
P.O. Box 522588
Marathon, Florida fishing
305.743.5580
Email: marathonlady@digitalsail.com

SEA KING
70 Coco Plum Drive
Marathon, Florida fishing
305.289.0827

CAPTAIN HOOK'S MARINA AND DIVE CENTER
MM 53
US 1 and Vaca Cut
Marathon, Florida fishing
305.743.2444

Full service bait, tackle and dive shop. Backcountry and offshore charters available, also dive charters, dive equipment and instruction.

CAPTAIN PIP'S MARINA AND HIDEAWAY
1410 Overseas Highway
Mile Marker 47.5
Marathon, Florida fishing
305.743.4403

Power boat rentals and charter fishing trips. Accommodations also available..

KEYS CRUISERS - BAREBOAT CHARTERS
Long Key, Florida
941.269.0810

Sailing charters, bareboat charters and sailing instruction. See the Florida Keys from the water and visit Key Largo to Key West.

MARINE ELECTRONICS / EQUIPMENT
The Battery Shack
1779 Overseas Highway
Marathon, Florida fishing
305.743.0011

Offers batteries and hi-amp alternators.

PANCHO FUEL DOCK & SUPPLIES
1280 Oceanview Avenue
Marathon, Florida fishing
305.743.2281

THE TACKLEBOX
1901 Overseas Highway
Marathon, Florida fishing
305.289.0540

Visit the premier fishing, tackle & bait shop in the Keys. Specializing in charter trips- offshore, backcountry, flats, & more! Our business is helping you catch fish by providing the right fishing tackle & advice from locals who fish these waters daily.