Fishing the Florida Keys: Gearing Up for the End of Scallop Season

As of September 24, 2024, the Florida Keys are gearing up for another exciting day of fishing, despite the approaching end of scallop season. Here’s what you need to know to make the most of your fishing adventure. ### Weather Conditions Today, expect partly cloudy skies with a high temperature of around 88 degrees Fahrenheit and a gentle breeze of about 10 miles per hour. There is a slight chance of scattered showers, but nothing that should dampen your fishing plans. ### Water Conditions The water level is normal, with a temperature of approximately 84 degrees Fahrenheit. The clarity is good, making it ideal for spotting fish. ### Best Fishing Spots For those targeting inshore species, the mangrove shorelines and deeper cuts around the islands are hot spots. Here, you can find snook, mangrove snappers, and even some groupers. If you have access to a boat, head over to Hawk Channel, where you can look for bait schools and bird diving activity, indicating the presence of cobia, mahi-mahi, and kingfish. ### Bait and Tackle For snook and mangrove snappers, live bait such as mullet or shrimp is highly effective. Use medium to heavy surf rods and consider adding a PVC pipe into the sand to secure your line. For offshore fishing, particularly for species like wahoo and mahi-mahi, use your depth finder to locate schools of bait. Live pilchards and crabs are excellent choices for these predatory fish. ### Fish Activity Snook are particularly active during the incoming tide around the deeper cuts and mangrove islands. They are hard-fighting fish and can be caught using live bait or artificial lures. Cobia tend to follow large rays and turtles, so keep an eye out for these indicators. Permit are active in the back country, especially around the flats and channels, and are attracted to live crabs skipped along the surface. ### Local Events and Regulations Today marks the last day of scallop season, so if you're interested in scalloping, make sure to get out there before it closes. There are no major local events today, but always check the local fishing regulations for catch limits and any closures. For example, marlin season is still open until October, but the peak season has passed. ### Tips from Local Anglers Captain Carlos Lima of CNC Aqua Adventures advises keeping an eye on the weather, as September is peak hurricane season. He recommends fishing around the new moon phase, which was a few days ago, for optimal current and fish activity. For those fishing in the back country, Captain Lima suggests targeting bonefish and permit during the early morning and late afternoon when they are most active. ### Best Times for Fishing The best times for fishing today will be around the early morning and late afternoon, coinciding with the changing tides. For offshore fishing, the period around the full moon, which was on the 17th, still offers very high tides and strong currents, making it ideal for species like wahoo and mahi-mahi. With these tips and This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.