Marathon Reef (MO0013)
Artificial reef Monroe County, Florida, Atlantic side. 1982 Marathon's Vaca Cut Bridge Spans.
The state lists this mark as low-accuracy. Use it to get close, then find the structure on your sounder before you anchor.
What bites on Marathon Reef
Structure in 115 ft on the South Florida reef tract usually holds: Black grouper, Mutton snapper, Amberjack, Vermilion snapper, Kingfish on the troll. What is actually biting changes with the season, water temperature and tide — the day's plan for this reef has the bite window and what to target that day.
Anchoring on Marathon Reef
In 115 ft, pay out about 595 ft of rode at 5:1 in calm water, or 833 ft at 7:1 when it's blowing. Drop the anchor up-drift of the structure by about the same distance and fall back onto it. Before you drop, kill the engine for 60 seconds and watch your GPS track — that's your real drift, and it beats any forecast.
Today's fishing report near Marathon Reef
Marathon fishing report — today: tides, wind, seas, water temperature and the GO / NO-GO call for inshore and offshore, updated through the day. Also nearby: Islamorada fishing report (29 mi).
Nearby reefs
| Reef | Distance | Heading | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marathon Reef MO0045 | 0.1 mi | NE | 115 ft |
| Marathon Reef Site MO0040 | 0.8 mi | NNW | 100 ft |
| Thunderbolt MO0030 | 1.3 mi | NNW | 118 ft |
| Long Key Reef #1 MO0031 | 10.1 mi | NE | 26 ft |
| Long Key Reef #2 MO0035 | 10.2 mi | NE | 26 ft |
Before you go
Size limits, bag limits and seasons change — check the current Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) rules for the day you fish, and federal rules, since this reef is in federal water. Carry a descending device for reef fish you release.