When wahoo are around Marathon
Wahoo fishing out of Marathon centers on three places: the Marathon Hump, the Gulf Stream and the outer reef edge. This dock briefing for skippers running their own boat covers when the fish are reported, where boats run, the named structure with depths, how it is fished and who fishes it. For the wider picture of the port, see the Marathon port page.
Local charters report two different wahoo windows, and they do not agree.
| Window | Months | Reported by |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | November through March ("most consistent") | Always Late Fishing Charters |
| Peak season | July through November | Southern Sons Charters; Infinite Blue Charters |
The windows overlap in November. Charter reports are the record here, and each describes a different part of the year. For how these months fit the wider coast, see the regional wahoo guide (see also the Atlantic Southeast fishing guide).
The winter window
Always Late Fishing Charters says, "Winter months from November through March offer the most consistent wahoo action around Marathon." Their season notes lay out the reasoning in full.
The July through November window
Southern Sons and Infinite Blue put peak season at July through November. Plan around that range for late summer and fall trips.
Where boats run and the grounds near Marathon
Boats running for wahoo out of Marathon work the Marathon Hump, the Gulf Stream and the outer reef edge, according to Southern Sons and Memory Maker.
- Marathon Hump: the most-named ground, worked especially hard for wahoo.
- Gulf Stream: the warm, moving water offshore of the reef line.
- Outer reef edge: the structure break where the reef drops toward deeper water.
Marathon Hump (Marathon West Hump)
The Marathon Hump, also called the Marathon West Hump, has a shallowest point of 480 ft. Southern Sons and Memory Maker both say boats work the Hump especially.
Two depth figures appear in this briefing and they measure different things. The Hump tops out at 480 ft on the bottom, while the 60 ft figure in the next section is the band of water boats troll, measured down from the surface.
Gulf Stream and the outer reef edge
The Gulf Stream and the outer reef edge are the other two areas named by Southern Sons and Memory Maker. Check the NWS Key West marine forecast for wind and wave numbers before the run.
Named structure near Marathon
These are the named structures near Marathon, with depth and material.
| Name | Depth (ft) | Structure | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marathon Hump | 480 | Hump | Shallowest point |
| Thunderbolt | 120 | Wreck | 4 mi S of Marathon and Key Colony Beach |
| 409 Hump | not listed | Hump | Also listed as 408; named blackfin spot |
| Seven Mile Bridge Reef | 90 | Bridge spans and concrete | |
| Marathon Reef Site | 100 | Bridge rubble | |
| Long Key Reefs | 24 and 26 | Bridge spans and concrete |
The 409 Hump also appears as the 408 Hump, so search under both names.
Chart layers are not for navigation. Plot these against an official chart, and read the U.S. Coast Pilot 4 chapter for the channels and hazards between the harbor and the grounds.
How wahoo are fished out of Marathon
Local boats troll offshore, usually in the top 60 ft of the water column, especially around the Hump. Infinite Blue and Southern Sons report trolling as the method, and Southern Sons and Memory Maker put the top 60 ft and the Hump together. Over a 480 ft top, the working band is still the top 60 ft. Tackle and general technique are in our wahoo species guide.
Who fishes for wahoo out of Marathon
Four Marathon charters list wahoo among their targets. Listings come from Guidesly; no operator sites were opened.
- Always Late Fishing Charters: Always Late, 32-ft SeaVee center console, 6 passengers; captain Lucas Ponzoa.
- Memory Maker Sportfishing: 29-ft SeaVee center console, restored 2000 model; captain Jon Henry.
- Infinite Blue Charters: Happy Ours II, 47-ft Sea Ray, and a Wellcraft 290 Coastal; captain Robert Williams.
- Southern Sons Charters: captain Josh Cox.
Tournaments
The Tom Thumb Marathon Offshore Bull & Cow Dolphin Tournament runs out of Marathon, usually in April.
FAQ: wahoo fishing out of Marathon
When is wahoo season in Marathon?
Always Late Fishing Charters reports November through March as the most consistent window. Southern Sons and Infinite Blue put peak season at July through November. The windows overlap in November, and the sources differ, so plan around whichever fits your dates.
How deep do boats troll for wahoo off Marathon?
Boats troll the top 60 ft, especially around the Hump. That is a band of water measured from the surface, not the bottom depth. Southern Sons and Memory Maker both report it.
How deep is the Marathon Hump?
The shallowest point is 480 ft. The Hump is also called the Marathon West Hump. That is the bottom depth, while boats work the top 60 ft of the water column above it.
Is it the 409 Hump or the 408 Hump?
Both names refer to the same listing, and reports use either. It is named as a top Middle Keys blackfin spot. For other species to pair with a wahoo trip, see our offshore gamefish guides.
Which Marathon charters list wahoo?
Always Late Fishing Charters (captain Lucas Ponzoa), Memory Maker Sportfishing (captain Jon Henry), Infinite Blue Charters (captain Robert Williams) and Southern Sons Charters (captain Josh Cox).
Where are the Florida and federal wahoo rules?
See the Regulations section above. Check both the state and federal pages before you fish.
