Spring Time Fishing

Spring Fishing Charters in Marathon, Florida

Call or Text: (786) 508-2483

Bill's Tarpon

From March through June, the Florida Keys come alive with one of the most exciting times of the year—Tarpon Season. Known as the Silver King, the tarpon is one of the most sought-after gamefish in the world, famous for its size, strength, and acrobatic leaps. At Angling Adventures in Marathon, Captain Rich Smith specializes in spring fishing when we practically eat, sleep, and breathe tarpon fishing. While other species are always available in South Florida, if conditions are right, targeting tarpon is without a doubt your best option. Spring is also one of the best times of year for reef fishing in Marathon, with consistent yellowtail snapper and grouper action.

Spring Fishing Charter Options & Pricing

Spring Time Fishing Tarpon

Tarpon Trips (4 Hours)
Our Live Bait Tarpon Charters run during prime feeding times. Morning Trip: 7:00 AM – 11:00 AM. Afternoon Trip: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM. Peak months are April, May, and June.

3/4-Day Charter (6 Hours) ⭐ Most Popular
Our recommended option for reef and wreck fishing. Enough time to explore multiple spots, target various species, and maximize your opportunities when tarpon conditions aren’t ideal.

Full-Day Charter (8 Hours)
Maximum time on the water for the ultimate spring fishing adventure. Perfect for combining tarpon opportunities with reef or wreck fishing, or exploring multiple productive environments throughout the day.

For pricing and availability, visit our Booking & Reservation Page →

The Marathon Spring Fishing Season: When to Book

Yellowtail Snapper Spring Time Fishing

Spring Season (March through June)
From March through June, the Florida Keys come alive with Tarpon Season. This is one of the most exciting times of the year for fishing in Marathon, with the legendary Silver King as the primary target.

Peak Tarpon Months
April, May, and June are peak months for tarpon fishing. During these months, we practically eat, sleep, and breathe tarpon fishing. When conditions are right, targeting tarpon is without a doubt your best option.

Transitional Weather
March and April are transitional months in the Keys—not quite summer, with occasional late-season cold fronts. While this can bring windy days that temporarily slow tarpon action, we always have backup plans to keep you on the fish.

Why Captain Rich Smith is Your Best Bet for Spring Fishing

Spring Fishing Catch

Tarpon Expertise
After 25+ years fishing Marathon’s waters daily, Captain Rich knows exactly where to find tarpon based on tide, conditions, and seasonal patterns. We fish bridges, channels, and flats using live mullet, crabs, or pilchards, depending on the tide and conditions.

Prime Time Scheduling
Our Live Bait Tarpon Charters run during prime feeding times: Morning Trip (7:00 AM – 11:00 AM) and Afternoon Trip (4:00 PM – 8:00 PM). This ensures you’re fishing when tarpon are most active and aggressive.

Flexible Backup Plans
If conditions aren’t right for tarpon, we shift gears to other highly productive spring options. We always have backup plans to keep you on the fish, whether that’s inshore fishing, reef fishing, or wreck fishing.

What Makes Spring Fishing Special

Goliath Grouper Wreck Fishing

Spring fishing in Marathon offers diverse opportunities with tarpon as the primary focus:

Primary Species:

Tarpon (Primary Target)
Known as the Silver King, tarpon are one of the most sought-after gamefish in the world. Famous for their size, strength, and acrobatic leaps. Peak months: April, May, June.

Mangrove Snapper
Consistent spring reef fishing targets. Excellent action and delicious table fare.

Yellowtail Snapper
Spring is one of the best times of year for yellowtail snapper fishing. Consistent action on Marathon reefs.

Grouper (Gag, Red, Black)
Spring offers excellent grouper fishing on reefs and wrecks. Prime time for targeting multiple grouper species.

Cobia
Strong fighters often found cruising above wrecks and reefs during spring months.

Sharks
Available throughout spring in various environments. Provide exciting visual fishing opportunities.

When Tarpon Fishing Isn’t Possible:

Inshore Fishing
Target snook, redfish, cobia, mackerel, barracuda, and sharks in protected waters when conditions aren’t right for tarpon.

Reef & Wreck Fishing
Fish reefs in 20-60 ft of water and wrecks in 100-250 ft for snapper, grouper, amberjack, cobia, and more. Spring is one of the best times of year for reef fishing.

Pelagic Opportunities
Beyond the reef, wrecks hold large snapper, grouper, amberjack, cobia, and other pelagic species like tuna and mahi.

Logistics: Boats, Location, and What to Expect

Our Spring Fishing Fleet

Captain Rich Smith Boat

Tarpon Fishing Boats
Specialized boats for bridge, channel, and flats tarpon fishing. Perfect for live bait presentations during prime feeding times.

23′ Boat for Reef & Wreck
Used when seas are calm enough for safe access to offshore grounds. Perfect for reef fishing in 20-60 ft and nearshore wreck fishing.

36′ Boat for Offshore
Spacious and comfortable for wreck fishing in 100-250 ft and extended offshore trips. Perfect for larger groups or rough conditions.

Spring Fishing Techniques

Tarpon Fishing Methods:

Live bait presentations
Fishing bridges, channels, and flats
Prime time morning (7:00 AM – 11:00 AM)
Prime time afternoon (4:00 PM – 8:00 PM)
Live mullet, crabs, or pilchards based on tide

Reef Fishing Methods:

Anchoring over productive reefs
Chumming to draw fish
Bottom fishing in 20-60 ft
Light tackle spinning techniques

Wreck Fishing Methods:

Deep wrecks in 100-250 ft
Heavy tackle for large grouper and Goliath grouper
Live and cut bait presentations
Targeting snapper, grouper, amberjack, cobia

Tackle Used:

Light tackle spinning rods (10-20 lb line) for most species
Conventional reels for big grouper and Goliath grouper
Specialized tarpon gear for Silver King battles

Bait Selection:

Live pinfish, pilchards, mullet, ballyhoo
Cut bait, squid, and shrimp
Live mullet, crabs, or pilchards for tarpon

What’s Provided:
All fishing gear, tackle, lures, bait, licenses, cooler with ice

What to Bring:
Food, drinks, sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, hat, camera, rain jacket. Check our Getting Prepared page for a complete packing list.

Departure Point

Angling Adventures
Island Fish Company Restaurant
Mile Marker 54, Oceanside
Marathon, FL 33050

Get Directions on Google Maps →

Perfect location for accessing tarpon bridges, channels, reefs, and wrecks throughout Marathon.

Spring Fishing FAQ

Spring Fishing

What species can we catch in spring?
Primary: Tarpon (Silver King) in April, May, June. Also: Mangrove Snapper, Yellowtail Snapper, Grouper (Gag, Red, Black), Cobia, Sharks. Backup options: Snook, Redfish, Mackerel, Barracuda, Amberjack, Tuna, Mahi.

What should I bring?
Food, drinks, sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, hat, camera, rain jacket. We provide all fishing equipment, licenses, bait, and tackle. Check our Getting Prepared page for a complete list.

Are fishing licenses included?
Yes. All Florida fishing licenses are covered under your charter.

When is tarpon season?
March through June, with peak months being April, May, and June. This is when we practically eat, sleep, and breathe tarpon fishing.

What time are tarpon trips?
Prime feeding times: Morning Trip (7:00 AM – 11:00 AM) and Afternoon Trip (4:00 PM – 8:00 PM). These 4-hour trips align with when tarpon are most active.

What if conditions aren’t right for tarpon?
We always have backup plans. Options include inshore fishing (snook, redfish, cobia), reef fishing (20-60 ft for snapper and grouper), or wreck fishing (100-250 ft for larger species).

Is spring fishing family-friendly?
Yes! Reef fishing is perfect for families. Tarpon fishing is more challenging and better suited for anglers wanting the ultimate gamefish experience.

What makes spring special?
Spring combines Tarpon Season (the ultimate gamefish) with some of the best reef fishing of the year. Yellowtail snapper and grouper action is consistent, and weather is transitioning from winter to summer.

How is the weather in spring?
March and April are transitional with occasional cold fronts. May and June are more stable. We always have backup plans for windy days to ensure you catch fish regardless of conditions.

See the Action: Watch More Epic Videos

Spring Fishing Action

Watch More Epic Videos →

Book Your Marathon Spring Fishing Trip Today!

Experience the most exciting fishing season in the Florida Keys. March through June brings legendary Tarpon Season—the Silver King famous for size, strength, and acrobatic leaps. Peak months of April, May, and June offer incredible tarpon opportunities during prime feeding times. When conditions aren’t right for tarpon, spring also delivers some of the best reef fishing of the year with consistent yellowtail snapper and grouper action. With flexible backup plans and expert local knowledge, we ensure productive fishing regardless of conditions.

Call or Text: (786) 508-2483
Email: info@captainrichsmith.com

Visit our Booking & Reservation Page for pricing and availability.

Check our Getting Prepared page for what to bring on your trip.