Keys Fishing Report: Tarpon, Sailfish, and Snapper Bite Heating Up in South Florida

Hello from the Florida Keys this is Artificial Lure with your fishing report for April 23 2025. If you’re looking to get lines wet in and around the Keys and Miami today here’s what’s happening on the water. First up the weather looks pretty good as we head deeper into the week. The March winds have continued to settle and we’re getting warmer summerlike patterns setting in lately so expect a light breeze and temperatures rising into the high 70s and low 80s by midday. Sunrise was at 6:51 AM and sunset will be at 7:48 PM so there’s plenty of daylight to chase fish. Tides today are running moderate with an incoming tide through the early morning and outgoing by early afternoon. That means your best action will likely be the first few hours after sunrise or targeting the late afternoon push as the water moves out. The moving water is what gets those fish feeding so don’t sleep on those tidal changes. The early tarpon migration is underway but it’s been grinding for most anglers this week. Most bridges through the Middle and Upper Keys have been holding some tarpon but the bite has been tougher than usual with fewer fish showing up than normal for late April. Still there are some windows of success especially around first light and dusk. If you’re after silver kings try live mullet or fresh cut bait around the pilings and shadow lines on the outgoing tide. Artificial options like Hogy Pro Tail swimbaits and large soft plastics can also get hits when the bite’s on[1][2]. Offshore the color change is holding sailfish blackfin tuna and the occasional mahi. Some yellowtail and mutton snapper are firing on the reefs while kingfish are mixed in on the edges. Deep sea fishing has been hit or miss with scattered weed lines toughening up the trolling but afternoon and late day bites have produced the best action especially for tuna and mahi. Wahoo have been rare the past few days, but bonito are picking up the slack[1][5]. If you’re reef fishing yellowtail snapper and mangrove snapper have been steady with fresh shrimp or cut baits doing best. For lures try smaller bucktail jigs tipped with shrimp. Cudjoe Key and Big Pine Key are producing mixed bags of snapper and the odd grouper or mackerel, so drop a line there if you want table fare[3]. Hot spots to try today are the Seven Mile Bridge for tarpon early and late, and the patch reefs off Marathon or Key West for snapper action. Don’t overlook the backcountry channels either—reports say there are still groups of tarpon hanging on those deeper flats with soft plastics getting bit[2][3]. That’s your boots-on-the-dock rundown for the day. Water’s warming, fish are biting, and the Keys are calling. Tight lines and good luck from Artificial Lure. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.