Florida Keys Fishing Report August 29 2025 - Reef Reds, Bridge Bites, & Lobster Season

Good morning, fellow anglers—Artificial Lure here, bringing you the latest on fishing conditions across the Florida Keys for August 29, 2025. The sunrise at 7:07 am ushered in a muggy, warm morning with light southeast winds shifting slightly by midday. The day’s highs will flirt with the upper 80s—classic Keys summer weather—while that steady breeze keeps things manageable out on the flats and backcountry. The sunset tonight will be at 7:48 pm, leaving just enough time for a productive evening session, and you’re looking at about 12 hours and 41 minutes of daylight. Tidal action is mild but still workable for sharp anglers: high tides hit around 1:49 am and 2:38 pm, and the lows drop to their mark at 8:37 am and 7:33 pm. The tidal coefficient starts at 49, dipping mid-day, translating to softer currents and less dramatic movement. That means finesse in lure presentation and a sharp eye for subtle structure changes will pay off today, according to the Key West tide charts. Out on the reef and bluewater, dolphin (mahi-mahi) reports have been up, especially for those running the weed lines and looking for bird action. Tuna are still biting for early risers trolling near the humps past Marathon, and there’s been word of a few white marlin being caught further offshore. According to local Instagram reports, recent trips have yielded three tuna and three dolphin just a few days back—so there's still quality fish moving through if you follow the current edges. Back inshore, the bridges are producing. The Seven Mile and Long Key Bridge remain hot spots—especially for permit and mangrove snapper. Yesterday, multiple anglers on social media pulled chunky permit on live crabs using light tackle, particularly during the last hour of the incoming tide. Mangrove snapper have been steady under the bridges and structure, with cut baits and small pilchards getting the nod. Squid strips and live shrimp are both working, especially when the water starts moving just before high or low slack. Lobster season is back in swing since August 6, but be sure to stick to the limits and legal methods: no harpoons, no spears, and no over-the-limit hauls. Florida Fish and Wildlife officers recently made headlines after arresting a man with 53 lobsters before the legal season—reminder that enforcement is extra vigilant this time of year. For lure recommendations, early morning and late afternoon have seen success on topwater plugs—think Heddon Zara Spooks or Rapala Skitter Walks—especially for barracuda and jacks prowling the flats. For snappers and grouper, opt for soft-plastic jigs rigged with Gulp! or live pilchard. Out on the reef, heavy bucktail jigs and trolling lures like the Nomad DTX Minnow are still pulling in summer wahoo and the occasional king mackerel. A couple of hot spots to hit today: - Seven Mile Bridge pylons: Permit and snapper active on both tides, especially when the water gets moving mid-morning and late afternoon. - Channel 5 and Indian Key Fill: R This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.