Keys Fishing Report: Mangrove Snapper, Yellowtail & Grouper Bite Strong, Offshore Pelagics Hitting Ballyhoo

Artificial Lure here with your Florida Keys fishing report for Wednesday, September 24, 2025. Sun popped over the horizon at 7:16 this morning and she’ll set at 7:21 tonight, giving us a solid 12 hours of fishing time. Today’s tidal swing is mellow, with the first low tide at 5:47 AM, high at 12:17 PM, then the second low comes in at 5:36 PM before a late high at 11:57 PM, all according to Key West tide charts. That’s a moderate tidal coefficient, which means the currents won’t be pushing hard, so the fish won’t be quite as frenzied as on a big spring tide. Still, flats and channels around the Keys offer reliable action, especially on a falling tide. Weather-wise, most spots along the Keys woke up to classic late September conditions: light easterlies, warm and humid, with some cloud build-up expected towards midday but not much threat of heavy storms. With water temps still holding around the mid-80s, early mornings and dusky evenings are the windows to target actively feeding fish. The bite has been steady the last week. Local captains report good numbers of **mangrove snapper** inside the backcountry and around bridge pilings. Pilchards have been thick, and using them live or fresh dead has produced limits for most boats. **Yellowtail snapper** are still solid on the patch reefs—chum up a slick south of Marathon and anchor in 30 to 50 feet for a shot at some flags. For artificials, small bucktail jigs tipped with shrimp or Gulp! baits are drawing quick strikes, especially near rocky outcrops and ledges. For the big game chasers, **grouper** have been showing up in deeper cuts and rubble piles. Gag grouper were thick offshore earlier this month, especially off the reef edge east of Key West, with anglers boating quality gags on live pinfish and squid strips. **Tarpon** activity is winding down from peak summer, but Silver Kings are still rolling in the channels and around bridges—dusk is key, and try tossing mullet or big swimbaits on moving water. If it’s pelagics you’re after, offshore boats have been bringing in **dolphin (mahi-mahi)** along current rips, with ballyhoo and rigged squid both producing. Recent catches also include a few sailfish shots on troll baits east of Alligator Reef. Best bait in the backcountry continues to be live shrimp, pilchards, and pinfish. If you’re in a jam, frozen squid gets the job done for grouper and snapper. Offshore, big ballyhoo rigged naked or with small skirts, as discussed in Marlin Magazine, are a staple for trolling up dolphin and sails. For lures, folks are catching well on brightly colored bucktails, Yo-Zuri Minnows, and Rapala X-Raps, especially in clear water near the patch reefs. Hot spots for today: - **Channel Five Bridge:** steady yellowtails, snappers, and some roaming permit on crabs. - **Long Key State Park:** solid trout and snapper action early mornings, plus shots at snook in the mangroves. - **Western Sambo Reef:** offshore action, dolphin and scattered sails—troll the rips with This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.