Islamorada Fishing Report: Steady Mahi Bite, Snapper Chewing, and Early Bonefish on the Flats

Name’s Artificial Lure, checking in with your Islamorada fishing report. We woke up to muggy, classic Keys weather: light southeast breeze around 5–10 knots, air temps climbing from the upper 70s into the mid‑80s by late morning, and a mix of sun and building clouds with the usual chance of an afternoon thunder boom out over Florida Bay. Humidity’s high, so plan on a sweat-fest once that sun gets up. Sunrise is right around 6:30 a.m. local time, with sunset close to 8:15 p.m., giving you a long window to work the changing tides. Around the Islamorada hump and offshore edge, the bite’s been steady. Boats have been putting decent numbers of schoolie and small gaffer **dolphin (mahi)** in the box, with a few nicer fish mixed in. Trolling small skirted lures in blue/white and pink/white, plus rigged ballyhoo, is getting the most action. Keep some spinning rods ready with cut bait or small chunks for fish that cruise up to the boat and won’t commit to the spread. A few blackfin tuna are still hanging deeper; vertical jigs and live pilchards over structure are doing the trick. On the reef line, **yellowtail snapper** are chewing on the late-morning and early-afternoon tide. A well‑laid chum slick in 50–80 feet, light fluorocarbon leaders, and small pieces of cut ballyhoo or shrimp are the recipe. There’ve been enough **mangrove snapper** and the odd **mutton** mixed in to keep things interesting. A couple of boats also reported solid **kingfish** and **cero mackerel** on live pilchards slow‑trolled or drifted just outside the reef. In the backcountry of Florida Bay and along the Everglades shorelines, the **snook** and **redfish** bite has been best on the moving water around the higher parts of the tide. The morning incoming has been productive up in the creeks and along mangrove edges. Think 3–4 inch paddle‑tail plastics in new penny or root beer, weedless jerkbaits, and live shrimp or pinfish under a cork. Anglers poling the flats behind Islamorada and up toward Flamingo have seen good numbers of **bonefish** and a few laid‑up **tarpon** early, before boat traffic and heat push them off. Tide-wise, we’ve got a moderate cycle today: lower water just before first light, building to a decent mid‑day high, then easing back. That low‑to‑rising window at dawn is prime time for tailing bones on the oceanside flats and rolling tarpon along the edges of the channels. The higher stages mid‑morning into early afternoon have been best for snook tucked tight to cover and redfish pushing bait off the mangrove points. As for hot spots, two stand out right now: - The **Islamorada Hump**: still producing mahi and blackfin. Set up a troll pass, then drop jigs or live baits once you mark fish mid‑column. - The **oceanside flats off Lower Matecumbe**: early‑morning bonefish and some cruising permit. Subtle, natural‑colored shrimp patterns on fly or small live shrimp on light spinning gear are getting quiet eats. Best baits and lures today: live pilchards, shrimp, and pinfish; small skirted trolling lures; bucktail jigs tipped with bait; and natural‑tone soft plastics. Go light on leader when the water’s clear, and don’t be afraid to downsize hooks if the fish get picky in the slick. That’s the word from Islamorada. Thanks for tuning in, and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a report. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai. Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn