What would you recommend to anglers fishing in Marathon, Florida for the first time?

Look for a trip that allows you to go Offshore, and do any type of fishing. I prefer a reef and wreck / Offshore combo tour. I prefer 6 hours. I also prefer a boat that is 30 feet or longer. If you are fishing with children or females look for a toilet on board. I also prefer to have a charter with a first mate.

I know that there are better times of the year to fish the Florida Keys but the fishing in late January 2022 was great. The advantage of fishing in January/February is the wonderful weather with air temperature in the low 70's and water temperature in the mid 70's.

Make sure you get a guide that knows where to go for the fish. Our guy did not. We went on a fishing trip with a guy from our campground and caught a load of fish. So it's all in knowing how and where the fish are going to be.

Fish around the bridges in May and avoid the traffic jam at the Marathon Hump unless you target 200lb plus gamefish or deep sea species and fish for more than a one day charter.

This was a fishing boat with little cover and not a lot of seating for small children. Recommend party size of 4 active participants.

Be flexible, spring weather and tides can require last minute changes. Recommend 3/4 day if you want to target bigger fish.

Watch the weather closely. It was too rough to go out and troll for Mahi Mahi. Did catch plenty of yellowtail and white snapper

Plan ahead and use Charters as they know where to go and for what kinds of fish.

Be open to catching what’s running. Take direction from the captain and crew.

March can still have some good days of fishing but it seems April is when you should get down here and get a rod out as winds die down and conditions get better

Determine what type of fishing you want to do. Weather in Florida can be unpredictable. Temperature was great and all the guides work very hard to give you the best experience they can.

Make sure to book a large enough boat in case the waves are large. It can be windy this time of year. Make sure to pack lots of drinks and sunscreen! Be prepare to get wet from ocean spray.

Check the fish that are in season first. ( ie: don’t expect to eat any of the fish I caught in March)

Find a Captain with a first mate and book a six hour Offshore/reef/wreck combo. If you are going with children and/or females look for a charter book with a toilet. Try to get above a 30 foot boat.

With this company you cant go wrong. Captain Joe will make sure you have a great time. Expect to catch fish you might never have seen before.

Be sure to use Jack Callion as your captain! You will catch fish and have a great fishing experience

July is hot and can be a slow time to fish. Be sure you know if your targeted fish are here when you plan the time of your trip.

Get a guide like Captain Buddy LaPointe that knows exactly where the fish are running at any time of the year or day.

Take your time, fish in shore and near shore on your own, but make sure to take an off shore charter!

Scrutinize the captain closely. The captain we thought we hired was in Michigan chartering fishing trips. His business won't last long down here if he doesn't clean up his act.

go out on party boat out of Robbies marina in Islamoradora I cant comment on Marathon fishing because my trip was canceled

Captain Buddy is an expert in the area; he is on the fish and also a great guy. Just show up and catch fish.

Sure. We have fished here on 3 prior occasions with fun and success. This was the one bad experience, and was due to the captain.

If this is your first trip to Marathon, try and book your trip on Jersey Key Charters. We had an awesome day. The fishing was amazing.

Choose guide wisely there are some that are sub par and some that over charge my guide was good price and knowledgeable.

Can't say anything but book it. And offshore fishing, live the experience With Sundance charters out of Marathon Florida.

Wear your sunscreen Dont guide yhe guide and fish what hot insted of what you want. Do your research on what species are in and listen to your guide.

If it is not a calm day and you can’t go to the reef or the hump, don’t go out.

Check what's in season first if you have your heart set on a particular species of fish.

If you're set on catching one species of fish in particular make sure its the correct season.