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Islamorada's Fishing Hotspots: Mahi, Snapper & Tarpon Bite
Published 5 months, 2 weeks ago
Description
Good morning from Islamorada – this is Artificial Lure bringing you the latest fishing report for Saturday, November 15th, 2025.
We kicked off today with a light northeast breeze around 10 to 15 knots and temps sitting comfortable in the mid-seventies. The humidity is creeping up, but we’ve got partly cloudy skies and just a touch of chop—prime conditions to be on the water. Sunrise was at 6:39 AM and you can expect sunset at 5:34 PM. Out on the reef and flats, the winds should mellow out a bit by midday, making it ideal for both offshore runs and backcountry action.
Turning to the tides: according to Tide-Forecast, we had a low tide early at 2:13 AM, followed by a high tide peaking at 7:27 AM, another low at 2:18 PM, and the last high at 7:32 PM. We’re sitting on a decent solunar period through late morning and evening, so get out there early for the best bite.
Now for the catches—Islamorada’s living up to its name as the Sportfishing Capital. Offshore crews have had solid luck chasing mahi-mahi in around 300 to 500 feet; most fish in the schoolie class with a few larger bulls mixed in, especially near weed lines and color changes. Trollers pulling small feathers, skirted ballyhoo, and bright Yozuri lures are filling the box. A few stray blackfin tuna have also come tight in the deeper edges, especially just after sunrise.
The wrecks and deeper patch reefs have been steady for mutton snapper and yellowtails. Pilchards and cut ballyhoo are your best bets; chum heavy, and those tails rise right up to the slick. Grouper action is decent, but remember, some species are catch and release this time of year—check your regs.
Back towards the bridges and bayside, snook and tarpon have been active, especially on the falling tide. Early morning saw a strong bite near Channel 2 and around Snake Creek, with live mullet and pilchards getting whacked. Artificial guys are scoring on paddle tails and topwater plugs in olive and white. Reports from the flats near Whale Harbor and on the oceanside points say the redfish and bonefish are tailing well on the higher water—shrimp-tipped jigs are hard to beat.
If you’re looking for a couple of hot spots, head to Alligator Reef for pelagic action—look for birds and rips—or drift the deeper edge of Davis Reef for snapper and grouper. Inshore, the channels near Indian Key and the flats behind Lignumvitae are holding a variety of species including permit and trout.
To stock up, CHAOS Fishing and Abel’s Tackle at the marina have gear and the freshest bait in town. Locals recommend 1/4 oz jigs with Gulp! shrimp in new penny, Rapala X-Rap for cruising jacks and snook, and live pilchards for just about anything.
Before you make your run, check the latest conditions since the wind could pick up this afternoon. And as always, respect the flats and bridge zones—watch for manatees and shallow spots.
Thanks for tuning in to your Islamorada fishing report. Subscribe for more updates, tips, and local insight. 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.
We kicked off today with a light northeast breeze around 10 to 15 knots and temps sitting comfortable in the mid-seventies. The humidity is creeping up, but we’ve got partly cloudy skies and just a touch of chop—prime conditions to be on the water. Sunrise was at 6:39 AM and you can expect sunset at 5:34 PM. Out on the reef and flats, the winds should mellow out a bit by midday, making it ideal for both offshore runs and backcountry action.
Turning to the tides: according to Tide-Forecast, we had a low tide early at 2:13 AM, followed by a high tide peaking at 7:27 AM, another low at 2:18 PM, and the last high at 7:32 PM. We’re sitting on a decent solunar period through late morning and evening, so get out there early for the best bite.
Now for the catches—Islamorada’s living up to its name as the Sportfishing Capital. Offshore crews have had solid luck chasing mahi-mahi in around 300 to 500 feet; most fish in the schoolie class with a few larger bulls mixed in, especially near weed lines and color changes. Trollers pulling small feathers, skirted ballyhoo, and bright Yozuri lures are filling the box. A few stray blackfin tuna have also come tight in the deeper edges, especially just after sunrise.
The wrecks and deeper patch reefs have been steady for mutton snapper and yellowtails. Pilchards and cut ballyhoo are your best bets; chum heavy, and those tails rise right up to the slick. Grouper action is decent, but remember, some species are catch and release this time of year—check your regs.
Back towards the bridges and bayside, snook and tarpon have been active, especially on the falling tide. Early morning saw a strong bite near Channel 2 and around Snake Creek, with live mullet and pilchards getting whacked. Artificial guys are scoring on paddle tails and topwater plugs in olive and white. Reports from the flats near Whale Harbor and on the oceanside points say the redfish and bonefish are tailing well on the higher water—shrimp-tipped jigs are hard to beat.
If you’re looking for a couple of hot spots, head to Alligator Reef for pelagic action—look for birds and rips—or drift the deeper edge of Davis Reef for snapper and grouper. Inshore, the channels near Indian Key and the flats behind Lignumvitae are holding a variety of species including permit and trout.
To stock up, CHAOS Fishing and Abel’s Tackle at the marina have gear and the freshest bait in town. Locals recommend 1/4 oz jigs with Gulp! shrimp in new penny, Rapala X-Rap for cruising jacks and snook, and live pilchards for just about anything.
Before you make your run, check the latest conditions since the wind could pick up this afternoon. And as always, respect the flats and bridge zones—watch for manatees and shallow spots.
Thanks for tuning in to your Islamorada fishing report. Subscribe for more updates, tips, and local insight. 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.