Key West Fishing Report: Snook, Permit, and Cobia Abound in the Florida Keys This December

Today, December 22, 2024, in the Florida Keys, the fishing conditions are looking promising despite some challenges. Here’s what you need to know: ### Tides and Weather For Key Largo, the tide times are as follows: high tide at 3:34 AM and 3:53 PM, with low tides at 10:29 AM and 11:01 PM. The sunrise is at 7:03 AM, and the sunset will be at 5:37 PM. The weather is expected to be mild, with temperatures in the mid-70s to low 80s, which is typical for this time of year. ### Fish Activity December is a great time for fishing in the Keys, with several species active. In the backcountry and nearshore waters, you can expect to catch Snook, particularly in the early morning and late evening when the light is low. They tend to congregate around mangrove shorelines and channel eddies. Permit and larger Cobia are also active, roaming freely in the backcountry. ### Types and Amounts of Fish Yesterday saw a decent catch of Snook, with some anglers reporting up to 5-7 fish per trip, though the sizes varied. Permit were also plentiful, with several catches reported in the 10-20 pound range. Cobia were less common but still present, especially around structure like reefs and wrecks. ### Best Lures and Bait For Snook, live bait such as shrimp, pilchards, or pinfish work well. Soft plastic lures like DOA shrimp or curly tail grubs can also be effective. For Permit, live crabs or shrimp are hard to beat, but jigs and spoons can also attract them. Cobia can be caught using live bait like mullet or pinfish, as well as large jigs and spoons. ### Hot Spots One of the best spots to try your luck is around the mangrove islands in the backcountry of Key West. The shallow waters and abundant marine life make it an ideal place for sight casting to Snook and Permit. Another hot spot is the patch reefs just offshore, where you can find Cobia and other species like Sharks and Mackerel. ### Additional Notes It's worth noting that there have been reports of unusual fish behavior in the Keys, with some fish spinning in circles and dying, but this does not seem to be affecting the fish populations significantly in the areas you'll be fishing. However, it's always a good idea to check local fishing reports and advisories before heading out. Overall, it should be a great day on the water, so grab your gear and enjoy the beautiful Florida Keys. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.