Foodchain Fishing
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Foodchain Fishing

State licensed
Excellent
4.9 / 5
(180 reviews)
• Angler's Choice
Bluefin Drive
Marathon, FL, United States

FoodChain Fishing takes you straight to the basics! If you want to take your family on an old-school fishing trip, look no further than Captain Carl Bish. He’s an angler and a science teacher who puts all he’s got into helping enthusiasts out. This charter means stripping down to the core – keep it simple, just go fishing.

You will be casting from a 26’ McKee Craft center console that was restored in 2016. She can comfortably take up to 4 members of your crew on a smooth cruise around the Keys and features the latest navigational electronics.

Once aboard, you’ll literally fish up the food chain – cast your lure, reel in your catch, then repurpose it to hook something even bigger! The reefs and wrecks here are teeming with fish, so odds of catching a big one are on your side.

You’ll target a variety of species including Snapper, Grouper, Mackerel, and more, depending on the season. Capt. Carl will provide you with the necessary equipment, bait, and keep you in the loop on what’s biting at the time of your trip. The trips are suitable for anglers of all skill levels and you’re welcome to bring your kids along.

FoodChain Fishing will see to it that you get the most out of your time on the water. Not only will you fish around the Marathon reefs and wrecks, but you will also learn about the reef ecosystem and the town’s history.

Get ready to conquer the food chain!

  • Fishing License
  • Live Bait
  • You Keep Catch
  • Catch cleaning & filleting
  • Drinks
  • Child Friendly
  • Rods, reels & tackle

Select date to see available trips and rates:

  • Private trip
    3 Hour Trip – Summer Sunset
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    3 Hour Trip, starts at 5:00 PM
    Seasonal trip Apr 1 - Nov 1
    $500
    This short trip is a favorite of families with kids and teens. Up to 4 adults and 2 children. We will run 7-10 miles out into the Gulf, put out a chum bag, and fish while awaiting the sunset. This is a great way to introduce your family to saltwater fishing. The starting time will vary depending on the sunset. Upon return, the crew will clean and package your catch and you are off to your favorite restaurant. Please tell the captain if you have dinner reservations.
  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip (PM)
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 3:30 PM
    Seasonal trip Mar 14 - Nov 5
    $600
    Head out for 4 hours of family-friendly fishing! You'll head out into the Gulf, reefs or wrecks where the best chance for hot action exists. Hook into Snapper, Groupers, and even Sharks! Capt. Carl provides bottled water and all of the gear you need for a successful day. Bring along any drinks and snacks you'd like to enjoy and you're all set! Start times are flexible.
  • Private trip
    5 Hour Trip – Family Charter
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    5 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
    Seasonal trip (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat)
    $750
    On this morning trip, you will head to the reef or Gulf and begin chumming the water. Small Snapper show first, then larger Snapper, Grouper, and other predators. This trip is geared toward couples and families. Most days, the action is consistent. When you return, the crew will clean your catch and recommend the best restaurants to cook them. The start time can be adjusted. This is the best trip for crews that enjoy calmer waters.
There are 8 people looking at this charter.

About the Captain

Carl Bish
Marathon, Florida, United States
8 Fishing Reports
ID & License verified
180 Customer reviews
Response time within an hour
Member since June 2017
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.
I earned my first Captain's License at the age of 20 and immediately began operating charters on the Great Lakes. On Lake Ontario, we fished for King Salmon, Steelhead, Atlantic Salmon and Lake Trout. Walleye ruled Lake Erie, so we went after it, while Smallmouth bass always made for a fun trip. During the offseason I taught science in high school. The two careers were soon complementary – I focused on providing family-based trips aimed at getting children into sport fishing. I ran this service each summer during the fishing season until selling it in 2015 to move to the Florida Keys. Here in the Keys I continue to focus on family-based fishing in a relaxed "go out and have fun" style. I enjoy educating families on the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and the surrounding ecosystem. Onboard, our goal is to fish up the food chain or as our slogan says: "Start with a shrimp....end with a monster!"

About this listing

Targeted species

Barracuda (Great) Great Barracuda
Grouper (Black) Black Grouper
Grouper (Red) Red Grouper
King Mackerel (Kingfish) King Mackerel (Kingfish)

Boat specs

McKee Craft (Center console) originally built in 1988, and restored in 2023. Powered by 2 150HP Outboard engines, with a maximum cruising speed of 40 knots.

Length
26 ft
Capacity
4 persons

Types of fishing

Nearshore Fishing
The Atlantic of the Gulf out to about 12 miles
Reef Fishing
Marathon has great patch reefs teaming with fish
Wreck Fishing

Fishing techniques

Light Tackle
Bottom Fishing
Spinning
Jigging
Drift Fishing
Deep Sea Fishing

Amenities

GPS
Fishfinder

Trip includes

Rods, reels & tackle
light tackle for snappers, heavy for others
Live Bait
start with a shrimp end with a monster
Lures
We use mostly jigs.
Catch cleaning & filleting
Drinks
We have a cooler of water for all guests
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 not included
Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.
Child Friendly
great pole bending for families up to 6 persons
You Keep Catch
We even clean them for you
Catch and Release Allowed
All sharks and Sails are released

Payment

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
PayPal

Marathon Fishing Calendar

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Customer reviews

Rating Summary
Excellent
4.9 / 5
out of 5 stars from 180 reviews
See details
Boat
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (195)
Wonderful family focused fishing, turtle viewing and sunset with Captain Carl!
Wonderful family focused fishing, turtle viewing and sunset with Captain Carl!
Wonderful afternoon fishing with Captain Carl
+192
Angler Rating
165
12
2
0
0
Anglers Claimed
Good experience
97%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
99%
Appropriate for children
99%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Catch intended fish
90%
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Featured  
Showing:
5 of 180 reviews
Christine P.
Minnetonka, Minnesota
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

The Best Charter!!

VERIFIED   NEW  5 Hour Trip – A Trip With Capt. Jim on March 10, 2023
We try to do a charter wherever we travel and Captain Jim made this trip wonderful! He truly cared about having my boys have...
Christine P. recommends Foodchain Fishing
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Christine P. recommends Foodchain Fishing
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Edward A.
Atlanta, Georgia
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Wonderful afternoon fishing with Captain Carl

VERIFIED   NEW  Half Day Trip (PM) on March 27, 2023
Moved our morning trip to 3:30 to get calmer water and it was a great decision. In 4 hours we fished 2 wrecks and 2 other sites...
Edward A. recommends Foodchain Fishing
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  Carl Bish Captain replied
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Carl S.
Shinrock, OH
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great trip with Captain Carl

VERIFIED   NEW  Half Day Trip (PM) on March 22, 2023
It was a windy day but captain Carl found us a place to fish that was not very rough.  We fished several spots.  Including...
Carl S. recommends Foodchain Fishing
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  Carl Bish Captain replied
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Britta A.
VLG WELLINGTN, FL
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Afternoon with Capt Carl

VERIFIED   NEW  Half Day Trip (PM) on March 14, 2023
Great afternoon with Capt Carl. My husbands first fishing trip, he liked it. Caught 12 species of fish and saw some turtles....
Britta A. recommends Foodchain Fishing
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
  Carl Bish Captain replied
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Dj S.
Tampa, FL
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great half a day trip with the captain

VERIFIED   5 Hour Trip – A Trip With Capt. Jim on February 21, 2023
My wife, two girls and I had a great day fishing. The girls got to experience a big hammer head shark, sea turtle, dolphin,...
Dj S. recommends Foodchain Fishing
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  Carl Bish Captain replied
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FAQs about Foodchain Fishing

Foodchain Fishing offers the following trips to customers:
  • $500 per group - 3 Hour Trip – Summer Sunset (3 hours)
  • $600 per group - Half Day Trip (PM) (4 hours)
  • $750 per group - 5 Hour Trip – Family Charter (5 hours)
When you book a trip with Foodchain Fishing, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
Trips booked with Foodchain Fishing include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle (light tackle for snappers, heavy for others)
  • Live Bait (start with a shrimp end with a monster)
  • Lures (We use mostly jigs.)
  • Catch cleaning & filleting
  • Drinks (We have a cooler of water for all guests)
  • Fishing License
Foodchain Fishing offers the following types of fishing:
  • Nearshore Fishing (The Atlantic of the Gulf out to about 12 miles)
  • Reef Fishing (Marathon has great patch reefs teaming with fish)
  • Wreck Fishing
Foodchain Fishing offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light Tackle
  • Bottom Fishing
  • Spinning
  • Jigging
  • Drift Fishing
  • Deep Sea Fishing
Top targeted fish species with Foodchain Fishing include:
  • Barracuda (Great)
  • Grouper (Black)
  • Grouper (Red)
  • King Mackerel (Kingfish)
  • Shark (Lemon)
  • Snapper (Mangrove)
  • Snapper (Yellowtail)
  • Spanish Mackerel