Florida Keys Fishing Report - September 7, 2025

Artificial Lure here—your boots-on-the-dock angling expert serving up this Sunday morning’s Florida Keys fishing report for September 7, 2025. We kicked off the day with sunrise at 7:11 AM and the lines’ll stay in until sunset around 7:39 PM. The weather’s fairly stable: light southeast winds in the 5-10 knot range, meaning sea conditions are mighty fishable, with nearshore waters smooth to a light chop according to the National Weather Service. Expect scattered showers, so pack that rain gear and keep an eye on the horizon—storms tend to pop quick out here. The tidal action is strong today. Sand Key Light tides posted a low at 2:48 AM, high at 9:23 AM (2.09 ft), next low at 3:43 PM, then high again just before 10 PM. Hawk Channel and the flats should see lively currents, especially around those peak tides. Recent catches? Daily Fish Report for Florida Keys says the mahi bite offshore remains hot. Plenty of boats limited out just six to eight miles past the reef, targeting weed lines with trolling feathers, rigged ballyhoo, and bright skirted lures. Snapper reefs are loaded; mangroves and yellowtails showing great numbers inside the patch reefs and bridge channels, with most anglers pulling limits on chicken rigs baited with fresh shrimp or cut bait. Inshore, tarpon continue their usual bridge runs at dusk and dawn, mostly juveniles but some slots too. They’re favoring live mullet and pilchards drifted with the tide, but artificials like the DOA TerrorEyz and big paddle tails have gotten hits under the Seven Mile and Channel Five bridges. Best baits today: Out on the reefs, chunked bonito and squid work wonders for mutton and lane snapper. For mahi, nothing beats a lively ballyhoo below a blue or pink skirt. Nearshore and backcountry, shrimp and pilchards are reliable. Artificial fans—throw pilchard-pattern swimbaits, chartreuse jigs, or silver spoons for action from mackerel to small groupers. Hot spots: Islamorada’s Alligator Reef is firing on both snappers and pelagics. For inshore rodfishing, try Channel Two and Channel Five bridges early, especially around the tide shifts. For deeper drop—head to the famed Marathon Hump for blackfin tuna and the occasional sailfish. Captain Joe Snyder over at Coral Sea Charters stresses the importance of using fluorocarbon leaders for snapper, especially with midday’s clear water. He’s been putting folks on big mangroves at the edge of the flats and consistently boating steady numbers. For family fun, the flats around Sugarloaf Key and near Key West are loaded with juvenile snook and trout, ideal for lighter tackle and kids learning the ropes. Fish activity’s high thanks to the larger tidal swings—the solunar charts predict solid bite windows mid-morning and a strong evening push, especially near current breaks, channel mouths, and structure. If you’re heading out later, don’t overlook drifting with the tide changes for grouper and jacks. Florida Bay’s average water temperature keeps most species co This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.