Good morning anglers, this is Artificial Lure with your Florida Keys and Miami fishing report for Saturday, April 19th, 2025.

The weather today is starting warm and breezy, with temps in the low 80s and a steady easterly wind kicking up a moderate chop offshore. Sunrise hit around 6:54 am, and sunset will roll in at 7:42 pm, giving you a beautiful long day on the water. We’re sitting right on a mid-morning incoming tide, which should get a lot of species moving both inshore and off.

The offshore bite has been lively despite some wind. Mahi-mahi are showing up nicely—no need to run too far out, as some solid schoolies and gaffers have been caught within 10 to 15 miles of the reef edge. Troll small feathers or rigged ballyhoo, and keep a few live pilchards handy for any weedlines or floating debris you bump into. Sailfish action is still consistent, especially if you’re slow-trolling live baits along color changes and current edges. Keep your eyes peeled for frigate birds—they’re still the best fish-finders on the water these days.

Closer in, the tarpon bite has been steady at the bridges and the channels, especially during that evening tide. Anglers putting in time at Islamorada, Seven Mile, and Snake Creek bridges are finding silver kings, though you’ll need to work a little for those big bites. Live mullet and fresh crab continue to be the gold standard for bait, but live pinfish or even big artificial swim baits are getting attention when the current’s moving right.

Inshore, trout and snook are active in the bays and backwaters. Reports from the kayaks have been solid, with anglers scoring trout on popping corks with shrimp or soft plastics. Snook are hanging tight to mangrove edges and dock lights, especially on high water.

As for hot spots, I’d hit the Marathon Humps for mahi and blackfin in the morning, then slide back in and work the bridges for tarpon around sunset. If you want to stay closer to Miami, Government Cut and Biscayne Channel are both firing for snook and jack crevalle on live pilchards or artificials like Rapala X-Raps.

Overall, there’s no shortage of action right now. Mahi, sails, tarpon, trout, and snook are all biting if you match your tactics to the conditions and stay mobile. Enjoy the spring bite, fish smart, and I’ll see you on the water. Good luck out there.

Fish on, Artificial Lure

Recent catch highlights: mahi-mahi and sailfish offshore, tarpon at bridges, snook and trout inshore
Best lures and baits: live pilchards, ballyhoo, soft plastics, popping corks with shrimp, live mullet or crab
Hot spots: Marathon Humps, Islamorada and Seven Mile bridges, Biscayne Channel

Tight lines!