Christmas in Marathon

Perchguy

i am bringing the wife and kids down to Marathon for Christmas week and am renting a 25’ CC for the week. I am planning to try for Spanish Mackerel in the bay and maybe drift for Kings outside the reef. That of course is if the wind stays down which it probably won’t. Looking for some advice on some options near shore if the wind is blowing. We have been to Marathon fishing several times in April and May but have not fished there in December.

msk99

I'm curious about this too as I'm looking at possibly coming down next Xmas.  Curious how many fishable days are typical over a 7 day period this time of year?

Perchguy

I am going to assume it is going to blow every day.  Hoping for a day or 2 that it doesn’t.   Last time down there was in April and it blew hard from the East every day but we were able to fish the 7 mile Bridge every day.  Caught a bunch of good size grunts and some snappers.  Wasn’t what we wanted to target but we made the best of it and had an excellent time.   I haven’t fished there in December so not sure what would be the best back-up plan for that time of year.  

AOKRVs

North wind fish the reef - red grouper is closed - but blacks should be there and kings/ ceros

get some live bait if you can

south before front or NE winds fish the bay - macs, snapper, bait - maybe cobia

usually get 1-2 good days per 7

msk99

Good info  appreciate it!

Perchguy

Looks like they are forecasting a strong east wind for next week so I think I will be fishing the 7 mile bridge.  Anyone have any advice for fishing the bridge this time of year?

piner_wahoo

depends on wind direction- if it is east or west over 20kts, a good bar is a good start. n= reef s= a hot pinfish bite (and maybe some BILLFISH (ballyhoo)) bite on the gulfside with chum. WAAY out off 7 mile good for cobia,etc. if possible- good luck and Merry Christmas!