As October gives way to November, it’s hard to believe how quickly this year has flown by. Fall is traditionally the slower stretch of the year in Marathon, and while the charter calendar has eased up, the Main Attraction family has put the extra time to good use. Between some travel, a big boat project, and plenty of fishing whenever trips and weather lined up, here’s what’s been happening around the dock as everyone gets ready for the season ahead.
A Little Time Off the Water
The slower schedule gave the Lewis family a rare chance to get away. They made trips to North Carolina and to Orlando, where they paid a visit to a very famous mouse at Disney. After a busy summer of mahi trips, a few days away was well earned.
Back in the Keys, October wrapped up with Halloween, complete with pumpkin carving and family costumes. The boats still went out when there were trips on the books and the weather allowed, but October brought some pretty windy days that kept everyone at the dock more than they’d like.
Rebuilding the Upper Deck on Main Attraction
Captain Marty Lewis, Captain Alex Lewis, and first mate Harris have been working extremely hard on boat maintenance. About a year ago, the lower deck on Main Attraction was ripped out and completely redone. There wasn’t enough time during that repair to tackle the upper deck, which houses the tackle center and bench seating, so the crew used this slower stretch to finish the job.
The upper deck was torn out and put back together piece by piece, with plenty of fiberglassing along the way. It isn’t the glamorous side of running charters, but it’s the work that keeps the boats in top shape for the busy season.
Windy October Pushes the Wahoo Tournament to November
The crew was scheduled to fish the 2nd Annual Marathon Fire Wahoo Tournament in October, but high winds forced a reschedule. The good news is the new date is November 21, and the Main Attraction team plans to be there. Katie says they’re just praying for nice weather, and of course, some big wahoo.
Fall Fishing Around Marathon
October brought cooler temperatures and the start of fall fishing. The yellowtail snapper bite has been very consistent on the reef, and kingfish and mackerel have started showing up too. Before long, sailfish will be showering along the reef line, one of the most exciting times of year in the Keys.
Offshore, the mahi have mostly moved on. The crews are still finding one or two here and there, but the big numbers that make summer so much fun have thinned out for the year. On calmer days, the boats can run out to the Marathon Hump for blackfin tuna and deep dropping. Just keep in mind that the sharks out there have a mind of their own and can make it tough to get a fish to the boat. That’s where an experienced crew earns its keep, knowing when to stick with a spot and when to pick up and move.
Reef and wreck fishing stays consistent year round, and it only gets better as the water cools. For anglers who want steady action and a cooler full of good eating fish, fall and winter reef trips are hard to beat.
And if you’re heading home after your trip, Katie can vacuum seal and ship your catch so it arrives ready for the freezer.
Captain Alex Heads Into Tournament Season
Captain Alex has put together his Main Attraction tournament team and signed up for the Islamorada Sailfish Tournament in December, along with the Gold Cup Series, which runs through the end of January. It’s another step for Alex as he follows in his dad’s footsteps, and the whole family is looking forward to cheering his team on and following along at each event. You can catch up on past results on our tournament fishing record.
Looking Ahead to the Season
The Main Attraction crew is looking forward to seeing familiar faces and new ones over the next few months, and to celebrating the holidays on the water together. Winter brings sailfish season and some of the best reef fishing of the year, so now is a great time to lock in your dates. To book your trip, call us at (305) 289-0071 or reach out through our contact page. We would love to have you aboard!
