Coco Plum Beach, Marathon Fishing

Coco Plum Beach is a natural, uncrowded oceanside beach in Marathon where the draw is shallow, clear water you can wade. It suits patient anglers who like to sight-fish on foot rather than cast from a deck.

• Shallow Atlantic flats in front of a city beach park
• Named by a local fishing guide for bonefish, permit and snapper
• Pavilion and restrooms on site
• A turtle nesting beach, so a light touch is needed

The beach is at 109 Coco Plum Drive on Marathon's Atlantic side. The City of Marathon Parks and Recreation Department runs it.

• Directions: turn south onto Coco Plum Drive and drive about 1.4 miles; the entrance is on the right
• Hours: 7:30 a.m. until dusk, per the city
• Parking and fees: the city page does not say, so look for posted signs when you arrive
• Surface: natural sand and rock rather than a groomed resort beach, with a wetland beside it
• Bring all bait; none is sold at the beach

Flats fish lead the list, with snapper and barracuda as the dependable backup.

• Spring (Mar-May): bonefish and permit on the flats, with the odd tarpon rolling past
• Summer (Jun-Aug): bonefish into the warm months, mangrove snapper and barracuda near structure
• Fall (Sep-Nov): jacks and barracuda chase bait along the edge; bonefish through October
• Winter (Dec-Feb): slower, with snapper, small jacks and the odd barracuda on calm days

Light tackle and quiet wading are the key; spooky fish punish noise and heavy lines.

• Bonefish: a 7 ft spinning rod with 8 to 10 lb braid and a 12 to 15 lb fluorocarbon leader, a small live shrimp or crab, or a tan jig
• Permit: a small live crab cast well ahead of a tailing fish
• Snapper: a small piece of cut shrimp or a live pilchard on a 1/0 hook near rocks
• Barracuda: a silver spoon or a topwater plug, with a wire leader
• Walk the edge slowly and look before you cast

The Atlantic side of the Keys has two highs and two lows a day; check the nearest NOAA tide station for Marathon.

• Rising and falling water is best, since bonefish move up onto the flats then
• Calm, sunny mornings give the clearest water for spotting fish
• A strong east wind clouds the water and pushes surf onto the beach
• Midday sun helps you see the bottom but brings heat; carry water

The beach is simple and fairly quiet, with some natural hazards.

• Shuffle your feet when wading to warn stingrays
• Rocks, shells and sea grass make the bottom uneven; wear wading shoes
• Barracuda and small sharks may take a hooked fish, so keep fingers clear
• Summer lightning is frequent in the afternoon; leave the water early
• Access is on foot from the parking area, over natural ground, so it is not as easy as a paved deck

Facilities are modest, which suits the quiet character of the place.

• Restroom facilities, per the city
• A covered pavilion that can be reserved through the city
• No bait shop at the beach that we could confirm; stock up in Marathon first
• No food service confirmed at the beach, so bring water and snacks

• Go early on a calm morning, when the flats are glassy and the sun is behind you
• Walk the shoreline for tails and nervous bait before you make your first cast
• Keep your shadow and your footsteps quiet; bonefish spook easily
• Do not walk on or disturb marked turtle nests, and avoid lights near the beach in nesting season
• Pack out your fishing line and bait wrappers, and carry a small pair of pliers

Coco Plum Beach is managed by the City of Marathon, and the city lists the park hours as 7:30 a.m. until dusk.

• The city page does not list fishing rules here, so read any posted signs
• The beach is a turtle nesting beach; protect nests and nesting turtles
• A Florida saltwater fishing license is required unless you are exempt
• Bonefish and permit have strict rules; check FWC before keeping or handling one, and release bonefish carefully
• Check current FWC rules for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything