Find a Fishing Buddy in Marathon
Florida
Marathon sits in the heart of the Middle Keys, where the Seven Mile Bridge, Bahia Honda, and the offshore humps put a remarkable range of fishing within a short run. The bridges and channels hold a legendary spring tarpon migration, the reef gives up yellowtail and mutton snapper year-round, and the blackfin tuna bite on the Marathon humps is one of the most reliable in the Keys. Backcountry flats on the Gulf side add bonefish, permit, and sharks. MyFishingBuds connects Marathon and Middle Keys anglers so you can split a reef trip, share a run to the humps, or find a partner for the bridge tarpon bite.
Free forever · 90 days of Pro on signup · Float plans & SOS free for everyone
When to fish Marathon
Marathon fishes all year. The spring tarpon run (April through June) at the Seven Mile Bridge and the channels is the headliner. Blackfin tuna on the humps are best in the cooler months but catchable much of the year. Sailfish and the offshore cold-front bite peak December through March; mahi fill the blue water in summer. Yellowtail and mutton snapper hold the reef year-round, with mutton best around the full moons of late spring. Permit stack on the wrecks and bridges in spring. Summer is calm and hot, winter fronts fire up the sailfish and can briefly blow out the flats.
→ Today's best fishing times in Marathon (sunrise, sunset & moon)Top species
- 🎣 Tarpon
- 🎣 Blackfin Tuna
- 🎣 Permit
- 🎣 Yellowtail Snapper
- 🎣 Mutton Snapper
- 🎣 Sailfish
Where to fish
- 📍 Seven Mile Bridge
- 📍 Marathon Hump
- 📍 Bahia Honda Channel
- 📍 The reef (Sombrero, Coffins Patch)
- 📍 Gulf-side backcountry flats
Local tips for Marathon
Vaca Cut and the marinas along the Marathon oceanside give quick access to the reef, humps, and blue water; the Gulf side opens up the backcountry flats. The Seven Mile Bridge and Bahia Honda are the classic bridge-tarpon and snapper spots, fishable from a boat on the tides. For land-based anglers, the old Seven Mile Bridge (where open) and the channels produce tarpon, snapper, and jacks. The humps are a committing run — pair up with someone who runs the blackfin and knows the drift.
🪪 Florida fishing license
Anglers fishing in Marathon need a valid Florida fishing license. Resident, non-resident, and short-term options are all available — see our complete state-by-state guide for current 2026 prices and direct purchase links.
See Florida license prices →Marathon fishing FAQ
What is the Marathon Hump and what lives there?▾
The Marathon Hump is an offshore seamount that rises from deep water and concentrates bait and pelagics. It is one of the most reliable blackfin tuna spots in the Keys, and also holds skipjack, bonito, and the occasional larger tuna. It is a real offshore run — go with a capable boat and a buddy who knows the drift.
When is tarpon season at the Seven Mile Bridge?▾
April through June is the peak of the migration, when tarpon stack in the bridge channels and feed hard on the moving tides. Live crabs and mullet on the outgoing tide are the standard approach. It is one of the best bridge-tarpon fisheries in the Keys.
Is Marathon good for families and shore fishing?▾
Yes — Marathon is one of the more accessible Keys for shore and bridge fishing. The channels around Vaca Cut, the old Seven Mile Bridge sections that are open, and Bahia Honda State Park produce snapper, jacks, tarpon, and mackerel without a boat.
Do I need a Florida license to fish in Marathon?▾
Yes, a Florida saltwater fishing license for anglers 16 and older (residents $17/year; non-residents from $17 for 3 days). Licensed charters cover you onboard. See our Florida license guide for current prices and where to buy.
Find a fishing buddy elsewhere
→ All fishing buddy cities in Florida🎣 Fishing clubs in Florida→ Browse fishing clubs near meReady to find your Marathon fishing buddy?
Free profile, no credit card. Match with compatible anglers, plan a trip, and fish safer.
Get Started Free →