Good morning from Islamorada, this is Artificial Lure with your fishing report for Sunday, April 20, 2025. If you’re itching to hit the water, you’ll want today’s scoop.

Weather this morning came in hot and sticky, already feeling like summer even before the sun peeked up. Winds have been stubbornly up, especially in the backcountry and on the flats. We’re seeing those classic April breezes that can make for challenging casting, especially on fly, but the water temps are finally in that sweet spot—just what our local gamefish crave.

Tide-wise, we’re on a mid-ebb this morning, swinging to a low just after midday, then building back to a solid incoming this afternoon: classic for getting those predators moving, especially in the channels and around the bridges.

Sunrise was just before 7am, and sunset will be a touch after 7:40pm. That gives you a generous window, and the bite’s been best during the first light and that classic evening golden hour.

Out on the water, it’s springtime mixed bag mayhem. The tarpon bite is officially in full swing, though you still have to put in some work for them. No wall-to-wall rolling fish yet, but patient anglers are jumping a few a day, with some fish in the 30- to 60-pound range, especially around the edges of the channels and bridges. Nighttime trips for the silver king are only getting better as temperatures stabilize and bait thickens up along shadow lines. On the fly, you’ll need to earn it, as the wind has made presentations tough. Look for windows of lighter breeze to get your shot.

Backcountry and Everglades trips are hot right now for snook, redfish, speckled trout, and jacks. Plenty of aggressive Spanish mackerel, kingfish, cobia, and big sharks still holding in the Gulf. Mixed sizes of snapper showing up too, especially on moving water around the mangroves and Gulf edge.

Bait of choice—if you can get live mullet, you’ll do well for tarpon and big snook. Pinfish and pilchards are also money. Artificials that have been working include soft plastics like DOA shrimp and paddle tails in natural hues, plus silver spoons and topwater plugs for early morning excitement. For fly anglers, think black-and-purple, or white-and-chartreuse tarpon bunnies, but bring your best casting game.

Hot spots right now include the Channel Two and Channel Five bridges for tarpon and snapper, and the Snake Bight backcountry for snook, reds, and trout. Bud n’ Mary’s channel edges have held a few trophy fish, too.

All in all, it’s shaping up for classic April action in the Keys. Tight lines and see you out there!