Florida Keys Fishing Report: Steady Mahi, Snapper & Tarpon Action

This is Artificial Lure coming at you with your Florida Keys fishing report for June 18, 2025.We started the day with calm seas and muggy, warm conditions. Sunrise was at 6:38AM, and sunset will come at 8:18PM. Tides played a big part today, with a high tide at 4:07 AM, dropping to a low at 9:41 AM, peaking again with an afternoon high at 4:04 PM, and finishing with a low at 10:07 PM, according to Tide-Forecast.com. These gentle swings set up good current for early morning and late afternoon anglers.Offshore, the mahi-mahi bite remains steady. Captain Experiences reports that dorado are patrolling weedlines in 500-900 feet, with most fish in the 8 to 15-pound class, and a few gaffers mixed in. Trolling small ballyhoo or skirted lures in bright colors did the trick. If you’re marking birds or floating debris, slow down and toss live pilchards or chunk baits for a shot at bigger mahi.Snapper fishing on the reefs is solid—mangrove and yellowtail are coming over the rails in good numbers, especially around the deeper ledges near Tennessee Reef and Alligator Reef. Cut baits and fresh shrimp are producing well, but don’t sleep on a small bucktail tipped with bait if the current’s moving right. Early morning and dusk have brought bigger yellows up to the chum slick, so get there ahead of the crowd.On the wrecks and edges out deeper, blackfin tuna are still chewing, according to Florida Sportsman. Vertical jigs worked fast or live pilchards slow-trolled off the stern have been the top producers, with some fish pushing 15 pounds. Sailfish are scattered, but keep a flatline out while drifting—there’s always a shot at a summertime slammer.Inshore, the tarpon bite is best at dawn and into the evenings, particularly around the bridges. Live crabs drifted on the out-going tide and big mullet plugs are taking fish. Backcountry action is heating up: snook, trout, and redfish are holding tight in the mangroves and around the grass flats, especially on moving water. Soft plastics in white or bone, and topwater plugs at first light, are local favorites.For hot spots, try Tennessee Reef for snappers and tuna, or head out to the Humps off Islamorada for mahi-mahi and the occasional wahoo. The Bahia Honda Bridge is still a solid pick for tarpon action at sunrise.Best baits today: live pilchards, ballyhoo, shrimp, and cut mullet. Best lures: brightly colored skirted trolling lures, small bucktails, and bone-colored topwater plugs.Thanks for tuning in to today’s report from Artificial Lure. Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss the latest Keys action. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AIThis episode includes AI-generated content.