Marathon backcountry fishing charters
Bonefish, permit and redfish on the flats and backcountry of Florida Bay.
Book a local captain for a backcountry trip on the flats and backcountry of Florida Bay. Trips start at $575 for 4 hours and $650 for 6 hours, with the fishing license, rods, reels, tackle and bait included.
Book your backcountry trip
Every calendar below shows live availability. Choose your number of guests, a date and a time, then book.
4-hour backcountry charter
6-hour backcountry charter
Saltwater license covered by the captain. Free cancellation up to 72 hours before. Full refund or free reschedule if the guide cancels for weather. Questions? Call (407) 392-4593, 9 am – 6 pm.
What can you catch on a backcountry trip in Marathon?
iOutdoors books 4- and 6-hour backcountry trips in Marathon on the flats and backcountry of Florida Bay for bonefish, permit and redfish. Trips start at $575 for 4 hours and $650 for 6 hours. The licensed captain covers your saltwater fishing license, and rods, reels, tackle, bait and fuel are included.
What’s included and what to bring
- Licensed local captain
- Boat and fuel
- Saltwater fishing license (covered by the captain)
- Rods, reels and tackle
- Bait
- Captain tip (10–20% is customary)
- Food and drinks
- Transportation to the meeting spot
What to bring
What’s biting in the backcountry by season
Winter Dec–Feb
- Redfish and snook on warm days
- Bonefish on the warmer flats
Spring Mar–May
- Bonefish and permit on the flats
- Tarpon start to arrive
Summer Jun–Aug
- Bonefish and permit early in the day
- Start early to beat the afternoon storms
Fall Sep–Nov
- Bonefish and permit on the flats
- Redfish feed up
Fish you can catch on a backcountry trip in Marathon
Bonefish, permit and redfish. Swipe to see what you could catch.
Bonefish
Gray ghostFast, spooky fish on the shallow flats. Catch and release.
Permit
Atlantic permitWary, hard-pulling fish on the flats and around wrecks. Seasons apply.
Redfish
Red drumOn the grass flats and along the mangroves, often in shallow water.
Seasons, size and bag limits apply: see the FWC saltwater fishing regulations. Your captain can tell you what you can keep.
Where you’ll fish
Backcountry trips fish the flats and backcountry of Florida Bay.
Meeting spot: your captain confirms the spot and start time with you before the trip.
Marathon backcountry fishing questions
How much does a backcountry fishing charter in Marathon cost?
Trips start at $575 for 4 hours and $650 for 6 hours. The booking calendar shows the exact price for your date and group.
What can I catch?
Bonefish, permit and redfish. What bites depends on the season and the tide.
Where do Marathon backcountry trips go?
The flats and backcountry of Florida Bay. Your captain confirms the meeting spot and start time with you before the trip.
Do I need a fishing license?
No. The captain’s saltwater license covers everyone fishing on the trip.
What’s included in the price?
The licensed captain, boat and fuel, your saltwater fishing license, rods, reels, tackle and bait. Not included: the captain’s tip (10–20% is customary) and food and drinks.
Can we keep the fish we catch?
Bonefish are catch and release. Size and bag limits apply to permit, redfish and other species, and your captain can tell you what you can keep on the day.
Which trip length should I pick?
4 hours is a good first trip and works well with kids. Longer trips give the captain time to move between spots and work the tide.
Is backcountry fishing good for kids and first-timers?
Backcountry trips fish calm, shallow water. Sight fishing for bonefish and permit takes patience, so a 4-hour trip is a good start, and your captain sets up the tackle and coaches you.
What happens if the weather is bad?
If the captain or guide cancels for weather, you get a full refund or a free reschedule.
What is the cancellation policy?
You can cancel for free up to 72 hours before your trip.
More backcountry trips in the Florida Keys
Trips in other Keys towns. Some book online with a live calendar; others are booked by phone.
