Light Tackle Fishing

Florida Keys Light Tackle Fishing Charters – Marathon, Florida

Light tackle fishing in the Florida Keys is one of the most exciting and versatile ways to catch fish, and Marathon, FL is the perfect place to experience it. Whether you’re chasing powerful offshore gamefish or stalking elusive inshore species on the flats, light tackle gear offers a thrilling fight and a hands-on angling experience that’s perfect for both seasoned pros and first-time anglers.

Why Light Tackle Fishing is So Popular in the Florida Keys

The beauty of light tackle fishing is its adaptability. Using spinning or conventional rods paired with braided or monofilament lines from 8–50 lb. test, anglers can cast lures, work live bait, troll, bottom fish, and even kite fish — all on the same trip. This style of fishing makes even smaller fish put up a memorable fight, and when you hook into a trophy fish, the battle is an adrenaline-pumping experience you’ll never forget.

Our light tackle rods range from shorter 6’ rods for trolling and bottom fishing to long 7’6” rods that give you the extra casting distance needed for stealthy presentations. When stalking a bonefish or permit in shallow flats, we often keep the boat well away from the fish to avoid spooking them, using the longer rods to drop a live shrimp or crab right in their path.

Bait and Lure Options for Light Tackle Fishing

We tailor our bait selection to the season, target species, and fishing conditions. Common options include:

-Live Bait: Shrimp, pilchards, crabs, pinfish

-Cut Bait: Freshly cut ballyhoo, squid, or mullet

-Artificial Lures: Jigs, soft plastics, plugs, and surface poppers

-Dead Bait: Rigged ballyhoo or squid strips for trolling and drifting

Species You Can Target on Light Tackle

Inshore & Backcountry:

-Mangrove Snapper

-Yellowtail Snapper

-Mutton Snapper

-Grouper

-Triple Tail

-Cobia

-Speckled Trout

-Jack Crevalle

-Tarpon

-Snook

-Redfish

-Bonefish

-Permit

Offshore:

-Mahi Mahi (Dolphinfish)

-Blackfin Tuna

-Kingfish

-Wahoo

-Sailfish

Fishing Charter Details

At Angling Adventures in Marathon, we offer 4-hour, 6-hour, and 8-hour light tackle fishing charters. All trips are private, and pricing is per boat, not per person. We provide everything you need — rods, reels, tackle, bait, fishing licenses, and a cooler with ice. All you have to bring is your own food, drinks, sunscreen, and a sense of adventure.

Light tackle fishing in the Florida Keys isn’t just about catching fish — it’s about the experience of feeling every head shake, every run, and every moment of the fight. If you want a fun, interactive, and action-packed fishing trip, this is it.