FLKeys Fishing Report: Bonefish, Tarpon, and Tuna Bite Strong Despite Winter Chill

Today, December 29th, in the Florida Keys, the fishing conditions are looking promising despite the winter season. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect: ### Tides and Weather The tides for Key West today are as follows: Low tide at 2:52 AM with -0.09 ft, high tide at 9:32 AM with 0.95 ft, low tide at 1:38 PM with 0.5 ft, and high tide at 8:24 PM with 1.85 ft. Sunrise is at 7:10 AM and sunset at 5:48 PM. The weather has been mild, allowing for regular offshore trips, though we've had some cooler fronts lately which can affect fish behavior. ### Fish Activity The bonefish and tarpon fishing have been excellent on the flats, with bonefish still active in the mid-70s water temperatures. Tarpon, although mostly smaller (10-30 lbs), are still present, especially in schools of juveniles. Barracudas have been aggressive and plentiful, making them a great target. Offshore, the tuna fishing has been outstanding, particularly for blackfin tunas, which have been biting well around the wrecks. Other offshore catches include bonitas, rainbow runners, kingfish, and amberjacks. Mutton snappers are also active around the wrecks. ### Best Lures and Bait For flats fishing, fly rods with small crab or shrimp patterns are effective for bonefish and permit. For tarpon, larger streamers or baitfish patterns work well. Offshore, live bait such as pilchards and ballyhoo have been the go-to choices, especially for tuna and wahoo. Jigs and spoons can also be effective for species like kingfish and amberjacks. ### Hot Spots One of the best spots for flats fishing is around Key West, where the shallow reefs and backcountry areas are teeming with bonefish, tarpon, and barracudas. For offshore fishing, the wrecks and reefs north of Key West have been producing good catches of tuna, mutton snappers, and other species. ### Yesterday's Catch Yesterday, despite some windy conditions, anglers managed to catch a variety of fish. In the backcountry, snook, redfish, drum, and sheepshead were caught using shrimp. Offshore, large redfish and black drum were landed, along with some good-sized blackfin tunas. Overall, the fishing in the Florida Keys remains excellent, with plenty of options both inshore and offshore. With the right weather, you can expect a productive day on the water. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.