With just enough wind to make the reef uncomfortable we fished our July trips so far in the Gulf. Great fishing with plenty of snapper for the table and some grouper and sharks just for fun!

The ocean had a nasty chop and a steady wind precluding us from getting out to the reef for an enjoyable day of fishing. We made the decision to head to the Gulf as our “Plan B”. On our first stop we had very little action, landing only one catfish. We headed further into the gulf and found a smooth spot to fish on the leeward side of a bank and dropped the anchor into the sand. After a while we finally started to catch just legal Mangrove snapper when we noticed Ballyhoo in the chum slick. A few moments later we had fresh bait on our lines and the big fish began to hit including a very nice Gulf Mutton and some slab Mangroves. The Gulf, true to form, kept us busy with action all day long. While we may not of been able to chase Mahi in the offshore waters we ended the day with a very nice limit catch of Mangrove Snapper and the big Mutton.

Headed out to the edge of the reef in front of Bahia Honda State Park. Set up over some fish in 68 fow and began the day. Great current but the Yellowtail Snapper were not there, we changed our focus to the bottom and landed this nice grouper, one of 3 that we kept. And jigged up several Cero Mackerel out of the chum slick. It was a day for toothy critters as we moved offshore later in the morning to speed jig a wreck and the King Fish cut our jigs off without us even feeling them. A great day of action with a great crew.

After a day at the humps and loading up on tuna and mahi, Jim and his son booked me for another day (Tuesday, June 23, 2020) to fish the wrecks and reef. Jim jigged up this monster from a deep wreck located just south of the reef. He was using our Shimano Saragosa 6000, on an Ugly Stick Tiger Stick Jigging rod and a Gypsy 150g dolphin colored speed jig. Later in the evening we added about a dozen nice mangroves to the catch!

Even with a tropical storm across the gulf and wind keep most boats at the dock, Marathon Florida still has options to provide great fishing!! Staying between islands were able to get out into the gulf and fill the fish box with snapper and wrestle a few sharks for fun. The bite started slow but once fresh Ballyhoo were caught for bait, the fish turned on!

Headed out with the intention of hiding from the 20 Knot east wind behind a couple of nearby keys. Snuggled into a cove on the leeward side of a small key and placed out the chum bag. Not much to get excited about for the first hour then the tide began to swing and so changed our luck. First the ballyhoo showed up and after we boated and cut up some of this prime bait the snapper put on a few pounds. Drags began screeching and the fish box started filling. We were back at sunset with a nice bucket of fish and plenty for several suppers!!!