Islamorada Fishing Forecast: Snook, Reds, and Bones on the Flats

Today, December 26, 2024, in Islamorada, Florida, the fishing conditions are looking promising despite the approaching cold front. Here’s what you need to know: ### Tides and Weather As of 8:00 AM, we have a high tide at 0.36 ft, followed by a low tide at 1:50 PM at 0.22 ft, and another high tide at 6:53 PM at 0.59 ft[2]. The weather is mild, with a gentle breeze, ideal for a day on the water. ### Sunrise and Sunset Sunrise was at around 6:52 AM, and sunset will be at approximately 5:28 PM, giving us plenty of daylight to fish. ### Fish Activity With the cold front approaching, our primary focus will be on snook, redfish, and bonefish. Snook fishing along the mangroves has been decent, and the beaches and flats further out are producing some good-sized snook. Redfish are abundant on the flats in the backcountry, and a patient angler has a good chance at hooking these bulldogs when they stop tailing[1]. ### Types of Fish Caught Yesterday, anglers reported catching several species, including tarpon, although they can be tough to catch this time of year. Bonefish have been spotted around the flats in town, and for the seasoned angler, this is a great challenge. Snook and redfish were also common catches, with some reports of permit and tarpon in the mix[1][3]. ### Best Lures and Bait For snook and redfish, using live bait such as shrimp or mullet is highly effective. For bonefish, small jigs or fly fishing with crab patterns can be very successful. If you're after tarpon, large streamers or baitfish patterns on a fly rod, or live bait like mullet or pinfish on conventional gear, are good choices[1][3]. ### Hot Spots Channel #2 Bridge just west of Islamorada is a hotspot for mangrove and yellowtail snapper, gag grouper, barracuda, snook, and tarpon. It gets busy, so fishing early or at night is recommended. Long Key Bridge is another good spot, less crowded than Channel #2, and offers plenty of snapper, small grouper, snook, and tarpon[3]. For a more unique experience, consider a canoe trip into the Everglades, where you can catch snook, redfish, and tarpon in their natural habitat. This is best suited for seasoned anglers looking for a new challenge[1]. Overall, it's a great day to be out on the water in Islamorada, with plenty of fish to target and favorable conditions. Good luck and tight lines