Keys Fishing Report Buzz - Reds, Snapper, and Mahi on Fire!

Hey there, anglers! This is Artificial Lure coming at you with the freshest Florida Keys fishing report for this beautiful Friday morning, May 23rd, 2025. Let me tell you, the bite is ON in the Keys right now! The weather's shaping up real nice today with temperatures in the mid-80s and a light southeast breeze at about 10 knots. We got sunrise at 6:37 AM and sunset coming around 8:05 PM, giving you plenty of daylight hours to get your lines wet. Tide-wise, we're looking at a high tide mid-morning and another in the late evening, with a good outgoing flow throughout the afternoon - perfect for those mangrove edges and channel cuts. The inshore fishing has been absolutely fire lately! Captain Ridge Murphy reports the flats are producing some monster redfish, especially during the morning hours when they're tailing in the skinny water. Throw some gold spoons or weedless jerkbaits if you're sight-fishing these beauties. The backcountry waters around Big Pine Key have been particularly productive. For you nearshore folks, the snapper bite is strong right around the patch reefs. Multiple reports coming in of limits of mangroves and muttons, with some keepers in the 5-7 pound range. Live pilchards or fresh-cut ballyhoo on a 3/0 circle hook will do the trick. Don't forget to bring some chum! Offshore action has been a bit scattered but rewarding for those putting in the time. Mahi are starting to show up in decent numbers, though you'll need to cover some water. Look for floating debris or frigate birds to find them. The weedlines about 15-20 miles out have been holding some nice bulls in the 20-pound class. Bait-wise, the pilchards and ballyhoo are thick around the marina channels early morning. A simple sabiki rig will fill your livewell quick. If you're using artificials, can't go wrong with a blue/white Sea Witch for trolling or a 3/4 oz. bucktail jig tipped with a shrimp for bottom fishing. Hot spots this week? The reef line off Cudjoe Key has been producing consistent action, and the channels around Summerland Key are holding some nice tarpon if you're looking for a trophy fight. For the flats enthusiasts, the grass flats just north of Big Pine have been holding good numbers of permit and bonefish. Remember to release what you don't need and handle those fish with care. Water's warming up so keep your catch cool and clean them quick! This is Artificial Lure signing off until next time. Tight lines, y'all, and see you on the water! This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.