Johnny Maddox Charters Papa 31'

Johnny Maddox Charters SportFishing Adventures runs year round fishing trips out of Marathon, FL. Whether you want to explore the reefs or head offshore towards the Atlantic, Capt. Johnny has you covered. These trips can work for novice anglers and veteran fishermen. You will be in safe hands, with one of the most knowledgeable captains in the area.

The waters out of Marathon offer amazing fishing. Around the reefs you can get Snapper, Grouper, and Critters Shark. When in season, Big Mackerel will also make their run around here. More seasoned anglers will love fishing offshore, targeting Tuna, Marlin, Sailfish, Swordfish, Wahoo & Mahi. Capt. Johnny loves fishing blue waters and will help you out, whether it’s trolling or Deep Drop bottom fishing.

Capt. Johnny has started fishing at a young age. Fishing with his dad, Capt. Johnny mastered the craft and has perfected it over the years. He knows the Marathon waters well 25 years in and will make sure you have an enjoyable trip.

You will be fishing aboard a stable vessel that can take up to six people. She is a 31’ Ocean Master Express boat, fit to rule these waters. The boat is powered by a twin 300 HP Suzuki engines and can reach the speeds of up to 40 knots. The boat features a flybridge which gives you great view of the area, a full private toilet, and a fighting chair. She is equipped with GPS, a fishfinder, has a live well, an ice box, and outriggers.

The crew will provide all the fishing gear and will take care of the license. You should pack food and drinks, as well as a cap, sunglasses, sunblock, and comfortable clothes.

The captain and first mate work hard to ensure that you have as much fun as possible on their trips, so gratuity is appreciated very much. The first mate works for tips, with 20% being the standard in this area.



Select date to see available trips and rates:

  • Private trip
    3 Hour Reef & Inshore Fishing
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    3 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    US $750
    Short trip not to far out for Snapper, Grouper and more. Great for families and novice.
    Targeted fish
    Barracuda (Great)
    Great Barracuda
    King Mackerel (Kingfish)
    King Mackerel (Kingfish)
    Grouper (Black)
    Black Grouper
    Grouper (Red)
    Red Grouper
    Spanish Mackerel
    Spanish Mackerel
    Snapper (Mutton)
    Mutton Snapper
    Snapper (Yellowtail)
    Yellowtail Snapper
    Hogfish
    Hogfish
    Mackerel (Atlantic)
    Atlantic Mackerel
    Snapper (Lane)
    Lane Snapper
  • Private trip
    Half Day – Reef Inshore Gulf (AM)
    Just booked! Last booked: 10 hours ago
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    US $850
    This trip is great for seasoned and novice anglers or families with kids. This trip will see you fishing around the Florida Bay waters, local reefs, and the 7-Mile Bridge. Target species include Snapper, Grouper, as well as Critter Shark and Mackerel, when in season. You will get all the gear, the license, and bottled water. Bring food and drinks, pack a camera, a cap, sunblock, and hop on board! The first mate's pay is only tips, so leaving some is very appreciated! No extra fuel charge!
  • Private trip
    Half Day – Snapper/Shark Special
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    US $850
    This trip will see you hunt the Toothy Critters around the islands of Marathon. Please arrive at 7:30 a.m. for an 8:00 a.m. departure. The boat is perfect for 4-5 anglers. All the gear is supplied onboard. Pack your food and drinks, and use the morning well. It's a great trip for less experienced anglers, but pro fishermen can also have fun. The first mate works hard to ensure your fun on this trip, he only gets paid in tips. Leaving a tip is very appreciated. No extra fuel charge!
  • Private trip
    Half Day–Reef/Wreck/Insh/Gulf (PM)
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 1:00 PM
    US $850
    A great way to start your morning. You will be fishing around the reefs, exploring the waters of the Florida Bay, or fishing the 7 Mile Bridge for Snapper & Grouper, and toothy Critters Sharks. You can encounter lots of big Mackerel when they run. This trip is suitable for groups of 4-5 anglers. You will get the fishing gear onboard, along with the fishing license. You should bring food and drinks. The first mate works only for tips, so leaving gratuity is greatly appreciated. No extra fuel charge!
  • Private trip
    3/4 Day Trip – Reef, Wrecks,Combo
    In demand! Last booked: 1 day ago
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 7:30 AM
    US $995
    This six-hour trip lets you combine the course. You will have a bit of both, reef, wrecks, Gulf, or inshore. You can hunt big game in the beautiful, blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean. If you want to mix it up, we can make your dreams come true. Or, hit the reefs for Snapper and Grouper. The boat works best with 4-6 anglers. The first mate works purely for trips, so leaving gratuity is very appreciated. No fuel charge!
  • Private trip
    3/4 day 6 Hour Run & Gun Offshore
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 7:30 AM
    US $1,195
    This six-hour trip lets you run quick offshore for Mahi Mahi and Blackfin Tuna. You will have to run & gun with a short trip around the Ups&Downs Humps. You can hunt big game in the beautiful, blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean. If you want to mix it up, we can make your dreams come true. The boat works best with 4-6 anglers. The first mate works purely for trips, so leaving gratuity is very appreciated. No fuel charge!
    Targeted fish
    Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
    Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
    King Mackerel (Kingfish)
    King Mackerel (Kingfish)
    Sailfish
    Sailfish
    Little Tunny (False Albacore)
    Little Tunny (False Albacore)
    Wahoo
    Wahoo
    Tuna (Blackfin)
    Blackfin Tuna
    Cero Mackerel
    Cero Mackerel
  • Private trip
    Full Day Trips–Reef,Wrecks,Gulf
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 7:30 AM
    US $1,295
    This full day trip is suitable for anyone. You can go fish reefs, wrecks, and close offshore around the Atlantic and Gulf looking for Mahi, Kingfish, Snapper, and Grouper on the reef. We can customize the trip. The package works best with 4-6 anglers. You'll get all the gear on board. Pack food and drinks. The first mate's pay is tips only, so leaving gratuity is very appreciated. NO EXTRA FUEL CHARGE!
    Targeted fish
    Barracuda (Great)
    Great Barracuda
    Wahoo
    Wahoo
    Snapper (Mangrove)
    Mangrove Snapper
    Dentex
    Dentex
    Grouper (Black)
    Black Grouper
    Grouper (Red)
    Red Grouper
    Snapper (Yellowtail)
    Yellowtail Snapper
    Bonito
    Bonito
    Cero Mackerel
    Cero Mackerel
  • Private trip
    Full Day – Offshore or Combo
    In demand! Last booked: 4 days ago
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    US $1,495
    This 8-hour trip will let you explore the Atlantic in search of fine game fish in Around Marathon. Your catch can be anything from Dolphin (Mahi Mahi) to Tuna and Wahoo. Combo a stop at the reef on the way in. This trip is made for any anglers. Get your food, drinks, and personal items. All the gear is supplied on board, you need only to join the chase. The first mate works for tips, so leaving some will be very appreciated!
  • Private trip
    Extended Full – Big Game Bluewater
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    10 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
    US $1,795
    This 10-hour trip will let you explore the Atlantic in search of fine game fish. Around the Marathon Humps and Continental ledge. Your catch can be anything from Dolphin (Mahi Mahi) to Swordfish and Tuna. Marlin and Wahoo are another option. This trip is made for anglers. Get your food and drinks. All the gear is supplied on board, you need only to join the chase. The first mate works for tips, so leaving some will be very appreciated! $1.00 PER GALLON USED FUEL CHARGE!
There are 15 people looking at this charter.

FAQs about Johnny Maddox Charters Papa 31'

Johnny Maddox Charters Papa 31' offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $750 per group - 3 Hour Reef & Inshore Fishing (3 hours)
  • US $850 per group - Half Day – Reef Inshore Gulf (AM) (4 hours)
  • US $850 per group - Half Day – Snapper/Shark Special (4 hours)
  • US $850 per group - Half Day–Reef/Wreck/Insh/Gulf (PM) (4 hours)
  • US $995 per group - 3/4 Day Trip – Reef, Wrecks,Combo (6 hours)
  • US $1,195 per group - 3/4 day 6 Hour Run & Gun Offshore (6 hours)
  • US $1,295 per group - Full Day Trips–Reef,Wrecks,Gulf (8 hours)
  • US $1,495 per group - Full Day – Offshore or Combo (8 hours)
  • US $1,795 per group - Extended Full – Big Game Bluewater (10 hours)

When you book a trip with Johnny Maddox Charters Papa 31', you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • Toilet
  • Fighting Chair
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Flybridge
  • Live Bait Well
  • Outriggers
  • Ice Box
  • Sonar
  • Radar

Trips booked with Johnny Maddox Charters Papa 31' include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Live Bait
  • Lures
  • Catch cleaning & filleting
  • Drinks (Plenty of bottle water)
  • First Mate
  • Fishing License

Johnny Maddox Charters Papa 31' offers the following types of fishing:
  • Inshore Fishing
  • Nearshore Fishing
  • Offshore Fishing
  • Reef Fishing
  • Wreck Fishing
  • Flats Fishing (Florida Bay)

Johnny Maddox Charters Papa 31' offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light Tackle
  • Heavy Tackle
  • Bottom Fishing
  • Trolling
  • Fly Fishing
  • Kite Fishing
  • Deep Sea Fishing

Top targeted fish species with Johnny Maddox Charters Papa 31' include:
  • Cobia
  • Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
  • Marlin (Blue)
  • Marlin (White)
  • Sailfish
  • Snapper (Mangrove)
  • Snapper (Yellowtail)
  • Swordfish
  • Tuna (Blackfin)
  • Wahoo

Meet the Charter Operator

Johnny Maddox Charters
Marathon, Florida, United States
12 Fishing Reports
ID & license verified
247 Customer reviews
Response time within an hour
Member since April 2015
Angler's Choice
The Angler's Choice Award is given to listings that consistently deliver a high-quality service and earn great reviews from customers.
Capt. Johnny Maddox runs offshore game fishing trips around the beautiful waters of the Florida Keys. With over 50 years of fishing experience, Capt. Johnny has extensive knowledge of the local fisheries and techniques that work. At an early age, Capt. Johnny was fishing with his dad in the Pay lakes in Southern Ohio, looking for Catfish and Blue Gills. He has also fished the bayou outside of New Orleans for Redfish, and went out to the oil rigs for Amberjack and Grouper, among other species. He then went over to Jacksonville FL in 1977 and fell for the blue water.
Our Team
Johnny M.
Captain

About this listing

Targeted species

Cobia Cobia
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi) Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
Marlin (Blue) Blue Marlin
Marlin (White) White Marlin

Boat specs

Ocean Master (Sportfishing) originally built in 2005, and restored in 2023. Powered by 2 300HP Suzuki engines, with a maximum cruising speed of 40 knots.

Length
31 ft
Capacity
6 persons

Types of fishing

Inshore Fishing
Nearshore Fishing
Offshore Fishing
Reef Fishing
Wreck Fishing
Flats Fishing
Florida Bay

Fishing techniques

Light Tackle
Heavy Tackle
Bottom Fishing
Trolling
Fly Fishing
Kite Fishing
Deep Sea Fishing

Amenities

Toilet
Fighting Chair
GPS
Fishfinder
Flybridge
Live Bait Well

Trip includes

Rods, reels & tackle
Live Bait
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting
Drinks
Plenty of bottle water
First Mate
Fishing License

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 3 days prior to trip

You can cancel or modify your booking up to 3 days before the trip date, free of charge. If you cancel or modify your booking later, or fail to show up, you'll forfeit 100% of what you've paid.

Listing policies

Pickup agreed upon reservation
Transfer to/from departure site may be available and included in price depending on your location and distance from the dock.
Child Friendly
You Keep Catch
Crew Keeps Catch
Catch and Release Allowed

Payment

Pay online in full

Pay online in full through FishingBooker and save on credit card fees at the dock.

No additional fees.
Book with 10% deposit, pay rest to captain

When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 10% deposit to guarantee your reservation.

The remaining balance is to be paid directly to the charter operator on or prior to your trip date in one of the following payment methods:

Cash
Visa
Mastercard
American Express
PayPal
Checks
Bank Transfer
When paying the remaining balance with a credit card, an additional 4% charge will apply.

Marathon Fishing Calendar

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Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.7 / 5
out of 5 stars from 161 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.6 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.6 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (259)
Yellow Tail Fever
Yellow Tail Fever
5 star
+256
Angler rating
129
19
5
3
2
Anglers claimed
Good experience
92%
Friendly captain
98%
Recommend this charter
93%
Appropriate for children
94%
Satisfied with the boat
98%
Caught fish
86%
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Showing:
5 of 161 reviews
Gary M.
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Experience:
Very good
4.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great day fishing with Captain Johnny

VERIFIED   NEW  Half Day – Reef Inshore Gulf (AM) on March 4, 2024
Captain Johnny and mate Nick did a great job getting us onto the fish. We finished off with 16 keeper yellowtail snappers along...
Gary M. recommends Johnny Maddox Charters Papa 31'
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Joseph B.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Yellow Tail Fever

VERIFIED   NEW  Full Day – Offshore or Combo on March 16, 2024
Awesome trip Great recommendation on Lazy Days for preparing all the yellow tail we limited out on …… Crew...
Joseph B. recommends Johnny Maddox Charters Papa 31'
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John S. M.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Experienced Crew

VERIFIED   3/4 day 6 Hour Run & Gun Offshore on October 18, 2023
The weather wasn’t what we wanted but Brian and Alex provided the best possible fishing experience you could have in the...
John S. M. recommends Johnny Maddox Charters Papa 31'
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John S. M. recommends Johnny Maddox Charters Papa 31'
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Andrew K.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

The humps

VERIFIED   3/4 day 6 Hour Run & Gun Offshore on October 8, 2023
We targeted Mahi but the Mahi just were not having it. So we rode out to the marathon humps and caught black fin tune. On the...
Andrew K. recommends Johnny Maddox Charters Papa 31'
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  Johnny Maddox Charters Charter Operator replied

Brandon K.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

5 star

VERIFIED   NEW  Full Day Trips–Reef,Wrecks,Gulf on March 12, 2024
Had a great time caught a lot of fish captain and crew were top notch.
Brandon K. recommends Johnny Maddox Charters Papa 31'
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  Johnny Maddox Charters Charter Operator replied