Half Day Bay or Reef
Four hours in the bay or on the reef off Marathon for mangrove, mutton and yellowtail snapper, grouper and whatever else is biting.
- Duration
- 4 hours
- Guests
- Up to 6
- Price
- $1,000per boat
Marathon fishing charters
Born and raised in the Keys, Captain Jimmy Gagliardini has fished for a living for 37 years.
5.0, 36 reviews on TripadvisorPick your trip
Tell us your date and group size, and we’ll get back to you to confirm.
3/4 Day
More time to mix it up. Snapper and grouper on the reefs and wrecks, and a run offshore for mahi and blackfin tuna.
- Duration
- 6 hours
- Guests
- Up to 6
- Price
- $1,300per boat
Full Day
Eight hours to mix it up on the reef, the wrecks and offshore for mahi, blackfin tuna, sailfish, kingfish and wahoo.
- 28 ft boat
- $1,600
- 36 ft boat
- $1,900
Up to 6. Prices are per boat
Tarpon
Four hours after tarpon, mostly at the bridge close to the dock, starting early when they're feeding.
- Duration
- 4 hours
- Guests
- Up to 6
- Price
- $900per boat
Caught aboard High Caliber
Every trip ends at the dock with the catch and a photo. A few of them.
Mutton snapper 
Sailfish 
Black grouper 
Blackfin tuna 
Goliath grouper 
Yellowtail snapper
A day out with Captain Jimmy
37 years on his home water
Captain Jimmy was born and raised in the Florida Keys and has fished all his life. Guests say he knows the local water like no one else, and he has dozens of spots dialed in.
On George Poveromo's A-Team
George Poveromo counts Captain Jimmy among the very best in Marathon for dolphin, blackfin tuna, sailfish, kingfish, snapper, grouper and tarpon, and has had him on his World of Saltwater Fishing TV series.
He moves until they bite
When the bite slows, Captain Jimmy runs to the next spot, and his mate is right there with the net. First-timers and kids get patient coaching on landing the fish.
Your fish, cleaned and frozen
At the dock the crew fillets, packages and freezes your catch, and Captain Jimmy explains how to fly it home in your carry-on. Kids can feed the tarpon and nurse sharks off the dock while they wait.
A Keys native on his home water
Captain Jimmy Gagliardini was born and raised in the Florida Keys, has fished all his life, and has been in the charter business professionally for 37 years. He's captained at some of the world's great billfishing destinations, and today he runs two boats out of Marathon, both named High Caliber, with Capt. Mike Walsh as his second captain.
High Caliber specializes in light tackle: game fish like dolphin, blackfin tuna, sailfish, kingfish and tarpon, and good eating fish like snapper and grouper on the reefs and wrecks. He's been part of George Poveromo's World of Saltwater Fishing on TV, and has served on the faculty of the Salt Water Sportsman National Seminar Series when it comes to Islamorada.
Every trip is built around your group of up to six. First-timers and kids get patient coaching, families get calmer water when the ocean kicks up, and fly anglers can bring their rods for mahi on the fly.
He also fishes with the future in mind. He won't target permit while they're spawning, and he pushed for the seasonal closure of Western Dry Rocks, a spawning ground off Key West, speaking up for it in Tallahassee.
“Born and raised in the Florida Keys. Been fishing all my life.”
- In the business
- 37 years
- Captains
- Jimmy Gagliardini and Mike Walsh
- The boats
- A 36 and a 28 footer, both named High Caliber
- Group size
- Up to 6 guests
- Leaves from
- The Hammocks at Marathon
Plan a group or custom trip
A bigger group split between two boats, mahi on the fly, or something else in mind? Tell Captain Jimmy what you're after and he'll get back to you.
Meet us at The Hammocks at Marathon
1688 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL 33050High Caliber leaves from the marina at The Hammocks at Marathon, the Bluegreen resort at 1688 Overseas Hwy, by Barnacle Barney's Tiki Bar and Grill.
Park in the large lot out front and walk along the left side of the building all the way to the back. There, a sandy path runs beside the pool deck and the tiki bar: follow it out to the dock. High Caliber's boats are the first and second on the left.
After the trip, the crew cleans your catch at the dock, and kids can feed the tarpon and nurse sharks while they wait.
Before you go
Still wondering?
Call or text Captain Jimmy before you book. He'll talk the trips through with you and help you pick the water for your group.
How do we book?
Tap Ask to book on any trip and tell Captain Jimmy your dates, or call or text him at (786) 751-6421. He'll confirm your trip with you directly.
How much does a trip cost?
A half day (4 hours) is $1,000, a 3/4 day (6 hours) is $1,300 and a tarpon trip (4 hours) is $900. A full day (8 hours) is $1,600 on the 28 ft boat and $1,900 on the 36 ft boat. Every price is for the boat and up to 6 guests.
What's included, and what should we bring?
Rods, reels, tackle, bait, fishing licenses, a full crew and a cooler full of ice. Bring whatever you'd like to eat and drink, and your own cooler too if you like.
Where do we meet?
At the marina at The Hammocks at Marathon, the Bluegreen resort at 1688 Overseas Hwy, by Barnacle Barney's Tiki Bar and Grill. Park in the large lot out front, walk along the left side of the building to the back, and follow the sandy path past the pool deck and the tiki bar to the dock. High Caliber's boats are the first and second on the left.
How many of us can come?
Up to 6 guests on every trip. Bringing a bigger group? High Caliber has two boats, so you can split up and fish the same day.