Fishing Forecast: Yellowtail Snapper, Tarpon, and Offshore Mahi-Mahi Action in the Florida Keys

As of October 24, 2024, the Florida Keys are offering some fantastic fishing opportunities. Here’s a rundown of what you can expect today. ### Weather and Tides The weather is looking pleasant with partly cloudy skies and a high of around 82 degrees Fahrenheit. The winds are light, blowing at about 10 mph from the southeast. Tides are moderate, with a high tide at 10:47 AM and a low tide at 4:47 PM, making the early morning and late afternoon ideal for fishing. ### Sunrise and Sunset Sunrise is at 7:34 AM, and sunset will be at 6:43 PM, giving you ample daylight to get out on the water. ### Fish Activity Yesterday saw a strong bite for several species. The yellowtail snapper were active on the reef, particularly at depths of 60 to 90 feet. You can expect to catch a good quantity at 60 feet, but for larger fish, head to the 90-foot range. Mangrove snapper have been thriving in the backcountry and on grass flats, responding well to chunks of bait the size of your thumb on jig heads. Tarpon fishing has picked up, with juvenile tarpon showing up in residential canals and following pilchards. Offshore, mahi-mahi were caught in the 2300-foot range, and there are reports of blue marlin sightings, although they were not biting. Sailfish are expected to be active just past the reef, and deep dropping is recommended for snowy grouper and tile fish. ### Best Lures and Bait For yellowtail snapper, chumming heavily is key. Use live bait like pinfish or balao for both snapper and grouper. In the backcountry, chunks of balao on jig heads are working well for mangrove snapper. For tarpon, live pilchards and balao are effective. Offshore, look for organized weed lines and birds to find mahi-mahi. ### Hot Spots One of the hot spots right now is around Rex Ledges on the sand flats for mutton snapper, using long leaders with live bait. Another spot is the reef areas near Marathon, where the yellowtail snapper bite has been excellent. Overall, it's a great day to be out on the water in the Florida Keys, with a variety of species to target and favorable conditions. Good luck and tight lines This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.