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"Islamorada Fishing Report: Offshore Mahi, Snook, and Tarpon Action in the Purple Isles"
Published 5 months, 2 weeks ago
Description
Good morning from the heart of the Purple Isles—this is Artificial Lure with your Friday, November 14th, 2025 fishing report for Islamorada and the surrounding waters.
The sun cracked over the horizon at 6:37 a.m. and we’ll see it dip back down at about 5:38 p.m. The day broke clear with air temps starting at a cool 68°, making for a crisp, picture-perfect morning on the water. Winds are easy out of the east, laying up the surface chop nicely for both inshore and offshore runs, though the National Weather Service and MarineWeather.net are advising small craft to exercise a little caution especially through the afternoon with an uptick in wind[18][14].
Tidewise, today’s a winner for the serious angler—major bites are expected early afternoon during the lunar transit, from about 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. High tide at Upper Matecumbe Key Florida Bay rolls in at 9:19 p.m. with the lowest dropping out at 5:05 p.m., so set your lines around those windows for best results according to Tideschart.com[2][1].
Now on to what’s tugging the lines—offshore is still hot for November. Recent reports from Florida Keys Fishing Report say mahi-mahi are biting solid beyond the reef, with plenty of gaffers hitting the decks and the odd bull in the mix. Sailfish action is picking up with the cooling fronts, and there’s been steady snook activity reported, especially along the edge of the backcountry flats which freshens up options for both live baiters and lure folks out there[5]. Try trolling rigged ballyhoo or skirted lures offshore for the mahi and sails—chartreuse and pink combos have been turning heads. For snook, nothing beats a live pilchard or a well-worked soft plastic in white or silver, mimicking the mullet moving through the channels.
Backcountry and the bridges are lighting up. Mangrove snapper, slot reds, and a legit trout bite are all strong near Channel Two and Long Key Bridge. Shrimp under a popping cork or cut pinfish on a jighead are catching the best numbers, but don’t sleep on throwing topwater plugs around first light—Rapala Skitter Walks and Super Spooks are crowd-pleasers and producing. Drop a bucktail near the pilings, and you may luck into a keeper grouper or even a surprise mutton hanging tight for the clean-up.
For those chasing the silver king, early morning and late afternoon tides are prime for small tarpon along the edges of Snake Creek and deeper mangrove swing-outs. DOA TerrorEyz and live mullet have both accounted for explosive strikes this week.
Hot spots to keep at the top of your list: Alligator Reef Light for offshore pelagics, Whale Harbor Channel for snook and snapper, and don't forget the drop-offs off Indian Key Fill for mixed bags of jacks, permit, and the occasional cobia.
The reefs are still holding yellowtail, and now is the time for chumming heavy and free-lining silversides or fresh local shrimp. For artificials, try a light-pink bucktail or a Gulp! Swimming Mullet if you prefer to keep your hands clean.
Coral restoration divers from The Florida Aquarium have just replanted brain corals at Davis Reef, a good sign for the future of our waters and a reminder to respect the reefs and practice responsible boating[9].
That wraps up our Friday snapshot. Thanks for tuning in to the Islamorada fishing report—remember to subscribe and stay dialed in for the latest on what’s biting and where. 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.
The sun cracked over the horizon at 6:37 a.m. and we’ll see it dip back down at about 5:38 p.m. The day broke clear with air temps starting at a cool 68°, making for a crisp, picture-perfect morning on the water. Winds are easy out of the east, laying up the surface chop nicely for both inshore and offshore runs, though the National Weather Service and MarineWeather.net are advising small craft to exercise a little caution especially through the afternoon with an uptick in wind[18][14].
Tidewise, today’s a winner for the serious angler—major bites are expected early afternoon during the lunar transit, from about 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. High tide at Upper Matecumbe Key Florida Bay rolls in at 9:19 p.m. with the lowest dropping out at 5:05 p.m., so set your lines around those windows for best results according to Tideschart.com[2][1].
Now on to what’s tugging the lines—offshore is still hot for November. Recent reports from Florida Keys Fishing Report say mahi-mahi are biting solid beyond the reef, with plenty of gaffers hitting the decks and the odd bull in the mix. Sailfish action is picking up with the cooling fronts, and there’s been steady snook activity reported, especially along the edge of the backcountry flats which freshens up options for both live baiters and lure folks out there[5]. Try trolling rigged ballyhoo or skirted lures offshore for the mahi and sails—chartreuse and pink combos have been turning heads. For snook, nothing beats a live pilchard or a well-worked soft plastic in white or silver, mimicking the mullet moving through the channels.
Backcountry and the bridges are lighting up. Mangrove snapper, slot reds, and a legit trout bite are all strong near Channel Two and Long Key Bridge. Shrimp under a popping cork or cut pinfish on a jighead are catching the best numbers, but don’t sleep on throwing topwater plugs around first light—Rapala Skitter Walks and Super Spooks are crowd-pleasers and producing. Drop a bucktail near the pilings, and you may luck into a keeper grouper or even a surprise mutton hanging tight for the clean-up.
For those chasing the silver king, early morning and late afternoon tides are prime for small tarpon along the edges of Snake Creek and deeper mangrove swing-outs. DOA TerrorEyz and live mullet have both accounted for explosive strikes this week.
Hot spots to keep at the top of your list: Alligator Reef Light for offshore pelagics, Whale Harbor Channel for snook and snapper, and don't forget the drop-offs off Indian Key Fill for mixed bags of jacks, permit, and the occasional cobia.
The reefs are still holding yellowtail, and now is the time for chumming heavy and free-lining silversides or fresh local shrimp. For artificials, try a light-pink bucktail or a Gulp! Swimming Mullet if you prefer to keep your hands clean.
Coral restoration divers from The Florida Aquarium have just replanted brain corals at Davis Reef, a good sign for the future of our waters and a reminder to respect the reefs and practice responsible boating[9].
That wraps up our Friday snapshot. Thanks for tuning in to the Islamorada fishing report—remember to subscribe and stay dialed in for the latest on what’s biting and where. 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.