Marathon Florida

[Goose]

Because I went alone I wasn't about to dish out 5 bills to get on a decent charter, I could have gotten on a drift boat for $60 but I'm not crazy for drift boats after fishing on one a few days before in Jupiter. The best thing about drift fishing is seeing all the different species of fish.

The capt. of this particular boat I went on was an arrogant know it all who got into a extended yelling match with another boat and to top it off he belittled the guests by yelling at them the whole time. When we didn't see a dolphin swim by our lines he says "what@#$%matter with you guys"(we're talkin retirees) ....he had a live well full baits,,just for him. He see's the dolphin throws out a live bait, lands it and then rubs it in our faces...I swear my tongue was bleeding. I landed a blue runner he says the fish is his...I tell'um...we'll see about that. The tackle suxed. I broke off on 2 big King Fish and the seas where 4-5, I took a wave over the side, got soaked from the chest down and the capt tells me seas are at 2 feet...lol

That experience is not to say Jupiter fishing is crap. Its one of the many hot spots in southern FL. Excellent place to vacation in the winter.

[Fly Rod]

Originally Posted by Goose

Because I went alone I wasn't about to dish out 5 bills to get on a decent charter, I could have gotten on a drift boat for $60 but I'm not crazy for drift boats after fishing on one a few days before in Jupiter. The best thing about drift fishing is seeing all the different species of fish.

The capt. of this particular boat I went on was an arrogant know it all who got into a extended yelling match with another boat and to top it off he belittled the guests by yelling at them the whole time. When we didn't see a dolphin swim by our lines he says "what@#$%matter with you guys"(we're talkin retirees) ....he had a live well full baits,,just for him. He see's the dolphin throws out a live bait, lands it and then rubs it in our faces...I swear my tongue was bleeding. I landed a blue runner he says the fish is his...I tell'um...we'll see about that. The tackle suxed. I broke off on 2 big King Fish and the seas where 4-5, I took a wave over the side, got soaked from the chest down and the capt tells me seas are at 2 feet...lol

That experience is not to say Jupiter fishing is crap. Its one of the many hot spots in southern FL. Excellent place to vacation in the winter.

In Marathon you would not get that kind of treatment on the Marathon Lady.

[Van]

We chartered once out of Marathon and twice our of Islamorada. IMO the fishing in Islamorada was much much better. Different but better.

First day on Marathon I took a nice big amberjack, my buddies got kingfish and mangrove snapper. Several small grouper that had to be released. We took our catch to a restaurant where they cooked it up in fine fashion...What a feast !!!!!!!!!

Next charter was on Islamorada. Right after getting bait, we started moving and saw sailfish free-jumping. Out goes a bait and I'm on. Fish was screaming the drag and staying down. The Capt just followed the fish without getting up next to it. After about 10-15 minutes, it decides to go airborne 2-3 times and its off. Estimated 70lbs. I told the guys I felt like Wes Welker !!! We proceeded to fish more and got black fin tuna, BIG kings and Barracuda. All these fish fought hard.

We had another charter with the same capt two days later and told him we would like to concentrate on sails. No problem.... He headed east and the fish were busting bait but were spotty. Several more chances when we got close but no hook-ups. At one point there were probably 5-6 sails around us showering bait. I looked down when something caught my eye and a nice one swam right by the boat. We saw more free-jumpers and a couple of other boats hooked up.

All in all it was an awesome trip. I took video of sails busting bait, but cant post them here. But here are some various pics.

We are already planning a trip for next year (maybe two)......

[Van]

Sailfish on. (notice how light the gear is) 20 lb line to boot.

Manatee at a marina gettng a cool drink.

Some relaxation between trips at the pool.

[Fly Rod]

Happy to see you had a great trip. Fish showing up and March and April should be great too.

[hardcore from shore]

Nice fish, glad you all caught some. Never a guarantee, but the guides do work hard. I will be in Marathon for my March Madness trip, fishing 3/16, 3/17 and 3/18. I hope the Cobia's start to show up by then (thye usually do). They are hungry, and mean and great fighters and you never want a green one in the boat. And they are GREAT EATING. Hope to share some pictures as well.

A great way to spend the winter is at least 1 trip to the Keys.
Bill