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Islamorada Fishing Report: Tarpon, Bonefish, Snook, and Offshore Bite Heating Up
Published 7 months ago
Description
Hey there, this is Artificial Lure—your go-to guide for all things sportfishing in Islamorada, and today we’re dialing in the details straight from the deep blue backyard we call home.
Let’s get the basics on the board. Sunrise kicked off at 7:14 AM, with sunset set to fade at 7:10 PM—perfect for squeezing in those early and late bites. Moon’s riding the First Quarter, up over 45% full, so expect a little extra movement in the water. Tide’s tell a story today: a high popped up at 5:30 AM to 0.72 feet, the low’s due at 2:53 PM at 0.23 feet, and a second high rolls in at 8:15 PM at 0.49 feet. According to the bite clock, major activity times are 7:34 to 9:34 AM and 7:55 to 9:55 PM, with minor windows at 12:29 to 2:29 AM and 2:40 to 4:40 PM. If you’re timing your run, set your alarm for those major bites and be on the water before the sun burns off the morning glass.
Now, onto what’s swimming. Recent reports—including that “Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing” tournament and local chatter—show the flats and backcountry are busy as ever. Tarpon are still hitting early and late, especially off the points and in the channels. Bonefish are piling on the flats in skinny water, darting for shrimp and crabs. Redfish are hugging the mangrove edges, and snook are stacked up under docks and bridges, ready to ambush. Over the reefs, snapper—mangrove, yellowtail, and mutton—are smacking live bait. Offshore, the mahi are close, especially around weed lines and flotsam, and kingfish are staging along the drop-offs. Blackfin tuna? They’re there too, along with the occasional cobia and sailfish.
Hot spots? Here you go: First, hit the north end of Lignumvitae Basin—bonefish heaven, and redfish love the mangroves on the outgoing tide. Second, the mouth of Snake Creek at the turn of the tide is always good for snook and even the occasional tarpon roll. Third, over by the Hok and Barley Basin, there’s a pile of bait moving, so predators are cruising. And, if you don’t mind a short run, Florida Bay is throwing up steady bonefish and permit, especially on the falling tide.
For lures, the flats are all about the gold spoon and the Gulp shrimp—match the hatch and you’ll get bit. In the channels, a white fluke or a jerkbait can’t be beat for snook and tarpon. For redfish, the trusty weedless spoon or a soft plastic paddle tail, muted natural colors, will get you nods. Offshore? A ballyhoo under a skirt for mahi and a naked ballyhoo for blackfin. Over the reefs, toss a shrimp tail jig for snapper.
If you’re chasing the real deal, live bait is boss. Pilchards, ballyhoo, and shrimp are everywhere—net ’em early, keep ’em frisky, and you’ll be into fish all day. For the flats, a live pinfish or small crab will get you noticed by those big-game bones and permit.
Weather’s your call—no cloud cover in the forecast, but check the radar before you run. Wind’s been light, so drift the flats early, and if the breeze picks up, head for the lee, or set up on the reef where the chop stirs things up.
Thanks for tuning in, anglers. Keep your drags tight and your hooks sharp. To get reports like this in your ear every week, hit subscribe and share the stoke. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.
Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
This episode includes AI-generated content.
Let’s get the basics on the board. Sunrise kicked off at 7:14 AM, with sunset set to fade at 7:10 PM—perfect for squeezing in those early and late bites. Moon’s riding the First Quarter, up over 45% full, so expect a little extra movement in the water. Tide’s tell a story today: a high popped up at 5:30 AM to 0.72 feet, the low’s due at 2:53 PM at 0.23 feet, and a second high rolls in at 8:15 PM at 0.49 feet. According to the bite clock, major activity times are 7:34 to 9:34 AM and 7:55 to 9:55 PM, with minor windows at 12:29 to 2:29 AM and 2:40 to 4:40 PM. If you’re timing your run, set your alarm for those major bites and be on the water before the sun burns off the morning glass.
Now, onto what’s swimming. Recent reports—including that “Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing” tournament and local chatter—show the flats and backcountry are busy as ever. Tarpon are still hitting early and late, especially off the points and in the channels. Bonefish are piling on the flats in skinny water, darting for shrimp and crabs. Redfish are hugging the mangrove edges, and snook are stacked up under docks and bridges, ready to ambush. Over the reefs, snapper—mangrove, yellowtail, and mutton—are smacking live bait. Offshore, the mahi are close, especially around weed lines and flotsam, and kingfish are staging along the drop-offs. Blackfin tuna? They’re there too, along with the occasional cobia and sailfish.
Hot spots? Here you go: First, hit the north end of Lignumvitae Basin—bonefish heaven, and redfish love the mangroves on the outgoing tide. Second, the mouth of Snake Creek at the turn of the tide is always good for snook and even the occasional tarpon roll. Third, over by the Hok and Barley Basin, there’s a pile of bait moving, so predators are cruising. And, if you don’t mind a short run, Florida Bay is throwing up steady bonefish and permit, especially on the falling tide.
For lures, the flats are all about the gold spoon and the Gulp shrimp—match the hatch and you’ll get bit. In the channels, a white fluke or a jerkbait can’t be beat for snook and tarpon. For redfish, the trusty weedless spoon or a soft plastic paddle tail, muted natural colors, will get you nods. Offshore? A ballyhoo under a skirt for mahi and a naked ballyhoo for blackfin. Over the reefs, toss a shrimp tail jig for snapper.
If you’re chasing the real deal, live bait is boss. Pilchards, ballyhoo, and shrimp are everywhere—net ’em early, keep ’em frisky, and you’ll be into fish all day. For the flats, a live pinfish or small crab will get you noticed by those big-game bones and permit.
Weather’s your call—no cloud cover in the forecast, but check the radar before you run. Wind’s been light, so drift the flats early, and if the breeze picks up, head for the lee, or set up on the reef where the chop stirs things up.
Thanks for tuning in, anglers. Keep your drags tight and your hooks sharp. To get reports like this in your ear every week, hit subscribe and share the stoke. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.
Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
This episode includes AI-generated content.