Florida Keys Fishing Update: Tarpon, Bonefish, and Offshore Action with Artificial Lure

Good morning from the Florida Keys and Miami, this is Artificial Lure with your local angler’s fishing report for Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Weather’s warming up quick down here, and it definitely feels like spring’s in the air. We’re seeing some classic Keys conditions: expect early morning temps in the 70s, climbing toward the low 80s by afternoon, with a healthy breeze still hanging around from the southeast. The wind’s been steady at 15 to 20 knots, so seas are a bit bumpy offshore, but it’s nothing the locals aren’t used to. If you’re heading out, chase some lee sides or backcountry pockets to stay out of the chop. Sunrise this morning hit at 7:07 am, and we’ll see sunset around 7:46 pm in the Keys, just a bit earlier over in Miami at 6:57 am and 7:44 pm. That gives you plenty of daylight to fish both the early bite and a prime sunset session[6][10]. Tides are swinging moderate today, with a good push early and slack midday. That incoming tide just after sunrise is a solid window for feeding tarpon, snook, and trout around the bridges and channels. If you’re fishing the flats, that rising water is your ticket for stalking bonefish or permit in skinny water. Fishing action has been steady but you’ve got to put in the time. Tarpon fishing is just starting to heat up—anglers are jumping a few each morning in the local channels and along the bridges. A couple fish landed yesterday in the 40 to 50 pound range, mostly caught on live mullet, with some hits on dead bait as well[4][5]. Snook are biting around the mangrove creeks and some structure in the backcountry, and there’s a good showing of big jacks and nurse sharks mixed in for some drag-screaming fun[9]. On the flats, bonefish are making ghostly appearances with some landed on cut shrimp or small crabs. Permit action has been slower than usual, likely because of that late cold snap in March, but some encouraging signs as bigger fish start sliding north[5]. Trout are biting up around the grassy bays and channels, best early or late in the day[1]. Offshore and in the Gulf, Spanish mackerel, kingfish, cobia, and snapper are active. Big jacks and sharks are running heavy, so bring some stout tackle if you want a tussle[9]. If you’re bait fishing, live mullet, pinfish, shrimp, and pilchards are top choices. For artificials, locals are scoring with DOA Shrimp, paddle tail jigs, unweighted soft plastics, and Baitbusters in the channels and around structure. Out on the flats, you can’t go wrong with a small jig or crab pattern for bones and permit, and flashy lures for barracuda and jacks[8]. Hot spots to try today: Islamorada bridges and nearby channels for early morning tarpon and jacks, Flats around Key Largo and Tavernier for bonefish and permit when the tide’s flooding in, Backcountry creeks behind Marathon and Flamingo for snook, redfish, and juvenile tarpon. Wind might be up, but with a little local knowledge and the right bait, there’s action to be had. Get out there and tight line This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.