Keys and Miami Fishing Report: Snapper, Mackerel, and Breezy Conditions Ahead

Artificial Lure here, bringing you your Florida Keys and Miami November 9th fishing report. Before sunrise hit at 6:39 this morning, lines were already wet from Islamorada all the way out to Key Biscayne. Expect sunset at 5:42 this evening—prime dusk action in the mangroves and nearshore reefs. Today’s weather is classic late fall Keys: air temp in the low 80s, water around 78.8°F, light east-southeast breezes. National Weather Service notes we’re holding onto those gentle winds today, but keep an eye on Monday—strong cold front coming, could push some bait inshore and stir things up. Tides are moderate, with Channel Key showing high at 2:39am, low at 9:33am, another high at 4:32pm and a low at 8:30pm. These smaller amplitude tides—tidal coefficient at Miami Beach only 33—mean less current, so finicky feeders may need extra enticement. The fishing has been steady and diverse. Captain Experiences reports crews pulling 20–25 yellowtail snapper yesterday in the deeper reefs, plus yellow jack, parrotfish, and undersized grouper on mixed baits. Even a black grouper showed, though the big boys weren’t as cooperative off the bottom—maybe waiting for that Monday front. Lobsters are still in the cards for divers and bug hunters, with plenty of keepers on the patch reefs and backcountry. Up in the shallows, Hubbard’s Marina says Spanish mackerel are thick as thieves, slashing bait in the outer bay and beaches. Fast-moving flashy spoons, Gotcha plugs, and light fluorocarbon line are crushing them. Trout, snook, and reds are shifting to backbay haunts—oyster bars, docks, and mangroves. Snook especially seem to like the structure, and redfish are moving with schools of mullet. Bait-wise, the mullet run remains good for netters. White bait (pilchards) are effective for almost everything, particularly snapper and mackerel. On the lure front, bucktail jigs tipped with shrimp in pink and chartreuse are always solid for snapper and trout. Spoons and topwater plugs like the Mirrolure Poppa Mullet are drawing strikes in the mornings and late afternoons near bait busts. A couple of local favorites worth visiting today: - **Channel 2 Bridge, Islamorada:** Hot for snapper, mackerel, and the occasional black drum. Night fishing under the bridge lights gets snook and tarpon prowling. - **Bayside Flats near Tavernier:** Drifting shrimp or slow-rolling paddle tails among the grass flats often yields big trout and slot reds, especially on a falling tide early afternoon. - **Government Cut, Miami:** Spanish mackerel, jacks, ladyfish, and juvenile tarpon have been active near the mouth—great for anyone looking for fast action without leaving shore. - **Long Key Bridge:** Reports say the outgoing tide and early dusk bite have been dynamite for snook and snapper. For offshore, smaller tides mean less drift, but chumming for yellowtail by the reefs (pick your spot, Buchanan Bank or Alligator Reef) is still producing limits. Grouper and migratory kings could pick up when t This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.