Winter Fishing Charters in Marathon, Florida
Call or Text: (786) 508-2483
Winter in the Florida Keys—November through March—offers some of the most diverse and exciting fishing opportunities of the year. While temperatures can swing from a balmy 85°F with calm seas to a brisk 65°F with windy conditions, there’s almost always a way to get out on the water and have an incredible day of fishing. At Angling Adventures in Marathon, Captain Rich Smith adapts each trip to the day’s weather. Our captains monitor the forecast constantly—sometimes 10 times a day—to ensure you’re fishing the best possible location for the conditions. In fact, it’s extremely rare for us to cancel a trip because the Florida Keys offers so many sheltered and productive fishing spots year-round.
Winter Fishing Charter Options & Pricing
Half-Day Charter (4 Hours)
Perfect for targeting specific winter species. Great option for families or anglers with limited time. We’ll focus on the most productive spots based on conditions.
3/4-Day Charter (6 Hours) ⭐ Most Popular
Our recommended option for winter fishing. Enough time to adapt to changing conditions, target multiple species, and maximize your opportunities. Perfect for experiencing the diversity of winter fishing.
Full-Day Charter (8 Hours)
Maximum time on the water for the ultimate winter fishing adventure. Explore multiple environments, adjust to weather changes throughout the day, and target the full range of winter species.
For pricing and availability, visit our Booking & Reservation Page →
The Marathon Winter Fishing Season: When to Book
Winter Season (November through March)
Winter in the Florida Keys offers some of the most diverse and exciting fishing opportunities of the year. The combination of cooler water temperatures and varied weather patterns creates unique fishing conditions.
Weather Adaptability
Temperatures can swing from a balmy 85°F with calm seas to a brisk 65°F with windy conditions. No matter what Mother Nature delivers, you can trust your captain to put you in the best position to catch fish and create memories you’ll be proud to share.
Why Captain Rich Smith is Your Best Bet for Winter Fishing
Expert Weather Monitoring
We pride ourselves on adapting each trip to the day’s weather. Our captains monitor the forecast constantly—sometimes 10 times a day—to ensure you’re fishing the best possible location for the conditions. It’s extremely rare for us to cancel a trip because the Florida Keys offers so many sheltered and productive fishing spots.
Windy Day Strategy
When conditions get breezy, we often recommend backcountry fishing in the Gulf of Mexico. These trips take place in shallower waters, often tucked behind mangrove islands and shallow flats, where we can avoid choppy seas and still enjoy plenty of rod-bending action.
Calm Day Opportunities
If the winds lay down, we’ll head offshore to the Florida Keys reef system or even deeper wreck fishing spots. Winter is prime time for a mix of reef species, pelagics, and larger predators that provide an exciting challenge for anglers of all skill levels.
What Makes Winter Fishing Special
Winter fishing in the Florida Keys is a multi-species adventure. Depending on conditions and your preferred fishing style, you might encounter:
Snapper Family:
Mangrove Snapper
Hard-fighting and delicious. Winter brings excellent action on these prized reef fish.
Yellowtail Snapper
Florida Keys favorites. Consistent winter action makes them reliable targets.
Mutton Snapper
Powerful snapper with excellent table fare. Winter offers prime opportunities for these sought-after fish.
Vermilion Snapper
Colorful reef dwellers that provide steady action during winter months.
Lane Snapper
Smaller but abundant. Great for families and anglers wanting consistent bites.
Hogfish
Unique reef species prized for delicate flavor. Winter is excellent for targeting these special fish.
Reef & Wreck Fish:
Porgies
Abundant bottom fish that provide steady action. Great for beginners and families.
Yellow Jacks
Hard-fighting schooling fish. Winter wreck fishing produces excellent jack action.
Gag Grouper
Aggressive predators around reef structure. Winter offers prime opportunities for these powerful fish.
Red Grouper
Bottom dwellers that provide excellent fights. Winter fishing for grouper is productive.
Black Grouper
Larger grouper species that test your tackle. Winter brings them to accessible depths.
Cobia
Strong fighters often found cruising above wrecks. Winter offers excellent cobia opportunities.
Pelagic Species:
Tuna
Fast and powerful. Winter brings blackfin tuna within reach of Marathon anglers.
Mahi Mahi
Colorful acrobats that provide incredible action. Winter can produce surprising mahi opportunities.
Kingfish
Hard-hitting offshore predators. Winter offers consistent kingfish action.
Inshore & Backcountry:
Redfish
Powerful fish in protected backcountry waters. Winter is excellent for targeting redfish.
Snook
Hard-hitting predators in mangroves and channels. Winter fishing offers great snook opportunities.
Barracuda
Aggressive predators perfect for visual strikes. Available throughout winter in various environments.
Sharks
Thrilling fights in shallow backcountry waters. Winter provides excellent shark fishing.
Spanish Mackerel
Fast and aggressive. Winter brings schools of mackerel to accessible areas.
Jack Crevalle
Powerful fighters that test your tackle. Winter offers consistent jack action.
Logistics: Boats, Location, and What to Expect
Our Winter Fishing Fleet
Multiple Boat Options
We offer specialized boats for different winter fishing environments—from backcountry skiffs for protected waters on windy days to offshore-capable center consoles for calm weather reef and wreck fishing.
Winter Fishing Methods Available
We customize each trip based on your target species and the day’s conditions:
- Live Bait Fishing – Fresh live bait tailored to target species and conditions
- Cut Bait Fishing – Effective for bottom fishing and reef species during winter
- Artificial Lures – Versatile lure fishing for various winter species
- Patch Reef Fishing – Shallow reef fishing in protected areas—perfect for windy days
- Offshore & Inshore Fishing – Adjust between environments based on weather conditions
- Bottom Fishing – Target reef and wreck species with bottom fishing techniques
- Wreck Fishing – Explore productive wrecks when conditions allow
- Flats Fishing – Sight-casting in protected flats during windy conditions
- Everglades Backcountry Fishing – Remote wilderness fishing when offshore conditions are rough
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, layered clothing for temperature changes. 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 all winter fishing environments based on daily conditions.
Winter Fishing FAQ
What species can we catch in winter?
Snapper (Mangrove, Yellowtail, Mutton, Vermilion, Lane), Hogfish, Porgies, Yellow Jacks, Grouper (Gag, Red, Black), Cobia, Tuna, Mahi Mahi, Kingfish, Redfish, Snook, Barracuda, Sharks, Spanish Mackerel, Jack Crevalle. Winter is a multi-species adventure.
What should I bring?
Food, drinks, sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, hat, camera, rain jacket, layered clothing for temperature swings. 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.
What if it’s windy?
When conditions get breezy, we recommend backcountry fishing in the Gulf of Mexico. These trips take place in shallower waters tucked behind mangrove islands where we can avoid choppy seas and still enjoy plenty of action.
What if it’s calm?
If winds lay down, we’ll head offshore to the Florida Keys reef system or deeper wreck fishing spots. Winter is prime time for a mix of reef species, pelagics, and larger predators.
Do you cancel trips often in winter?
It’s extremely rare for us to cancel a trip because the Florida Keys offers so many sheltered and productive fishing spots year-round. We adapt to conditions by changing locations and techniques.
What’s the weather like?
Temperatures can swing from a balmy 85°F with calm seas to a brisk 65°F with windy conditions. Layered clothing is recommended. Despite weather variations, there’s almost always a way to get out and have an incredible day of fishing.
Is winter fishing family-friendly?
Absolutely! Winter offers diverse opportunities perfect for families. Protected backcountry waters on windy days and reef fishing on calm days provide options for all ages and skill levels.
What makes winter fishing special?
Winter offers the most diverse fishing of the year. The combination of cooler water temperatures, varied weather patterns, and multiple productive environments creates unique opportunities you won’t find in other seasons.
Winter Fishing Highlights
Winter fishing in Marathon combines the best of all worlds. When weather is rough, the protected backcountry provides excellent fishing for redfish, snook, and trout. When conditions are calm, reef and wreck fishing produces incredible variety including snapper, grouper, and pelagic species.
The adaptability required for winter fishing means every trip is unique. Your captain’s expertise in reading conditions and adjusting strategies ensures productive fishing regardless of what the day brings.
See the Action: Watch More Epic Videos
Watch our winter fishing videos to see the diversity of species and conditions.
Winter Fishing Success
The key to winter fishing success in Marathon is flexibility and local expertise. Our captains’ constant weather monitoring and intimate knowledge of protected fishing spots means you’ll always be in the best position to catch fish.
Whether targeting reef species on calm days or enjoying backcountry action when it’s windy, winter fishing delivers the most diverse opportunities of any season in the Florida Keys.
Book Your Marathon Winter Fishing Trip Today!
Experience the most diverse fishing season of the year in the Florida Keys. November through March brings unique opportunities across all environments—from protected backcountry waters on windy days to offshore reef and wreck fishing when conditions are calm. With expert weather monitoring and constant adaptation, we put you in the best position to catch fish regardless of what Mother Nature delivers. Multi-species action, varied techniques, and year-round accessibility make winter fishing unforgettable.
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.
Related Fishing Charters
- Wreck Fishing – Winter wreck opportunities
- Patch Reef Fishing – Winter reef fishing
- Backcountry Fishing – Protected winter spots
- Spring Fishing – Transition to spring
- All Types of Fishing
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