Keys Fishing Report: Inshore and Offshore Bites Firing on All Cylinders

Artificial Lure here dropping your boots-on-the-dock Florida Keys fishing report straight from the heart of paradise for Wednesday, November 19, 2025. We kicked off with crisp, light breezes and clear skies—classic late-fall weather in the Keys. Temps are hovering in the mid-70s with humidity dialing back, making for picture-perfect angling. Sunrise was at 7:23 a.m., with sunset rolling in at 6:52 p.m. That means plenty of prime daylight to work the water. Let’s talk tides—high tide hit around 9:47 a.m. in Key West, with the next high rolling in just before 9 p.m. according to Tide-Forecast.com, while Conch Key saw a low tide at 2:13 a.m. and high at 8:46 a.m. There’s a solid incoming push through mid-morning and another run-up near dusk, excellent for maximizing the bite. Solunar tables rate fish activity as high, so those windows are golden opportunities. The action? It’s been firing on all cylinders. According to yesterday’s Florida Insider Fishing Report and Capt. Rick’s picks, inshore bites are stacked—mangrove snapper and sea trout are thick on the flats and around the bridges. Spanish mackerel are in nice numbers too, chasing glass minnows and small baitfish. Snook have been cruising mangrove edges and back bays, slamming live pilchards and finger mullet, but topwater walk-the-dog plugs and chartreuse jerkbaits have gotten some explosive strikes as well. Night fishing under dock lights? Shrimp and small paddle tails have flat out produced. Offshore, it’s a mixed bag. Dolphin (mahi-mahi) are still running strong out past 120 feet, hitting trolled rigged ballyhoo and bright-skirted trolling lures. Blackfin tuna have clustered around the Islamorada Humps and Fowey Rocks, especially in the afternoon; vertical jigs in pink or silver are doing damage, and live pilchards dropped deep are scoring limits. There’s sailfish popping east of Miami—classic winter pattern setting up—so live goggle eyes under kites are the move if you’re hunting a bill. On the reefs, snapper are chewing steady out of Marathon and Key Largo. Yellowtail and mutton snapper like a strip of squid or cut ballyhoo on a light jig head. Grouper season closes soon, but there are still legit keepers being caught on large pinfish or blue runners fished on knocker rigs around heavy structure. Best baits this week: - **Inshore:** Live pilchards and finger mullet, paddle tails, shrimp, and chartreuse jerkbaits for snook. - **Offshore:** Rigged ballyhoo, bright-skirted lures for dolphin; vertical jigs and live pilchards for tuna; live goggle eyes for sailfish. - **Reefs:** Squid strips, cut ballyhoo, and large pinfish or blue runner for grouper. Hot spots to check: - **Government Cut:** Snook and tarpon are waking up with outgoing tide at first light. - **Haulover Inlet:** Jack crevalle and Spanish mackerel busting bait around the rocks and bridges—throw flashy spoons or sardine-pattern swimbaits. - **Islamorada Humps:** Blackfin tuna and the early sailfish bite are both hot here This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.