Daily Fish Report for Florida Keys

Florida Keys Fishing Report: Tarpon, Bonefish, and Offshore Action Abound


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Good morning anglers! Here’s your fishing report for April 11, 2025, focused on the pristine waters of the Florida Keys. Let’s dive into the conditions, fish activity, and recommendations to make your day on the water a success.

The sunrise today was at 7:02 AM, and you can expect the sunset at 7:42 PM, giving you plenty of daylight to enjoy some stellar fishing. Tides are favorable—a high tide is expected mid-morning, around 10:30 AM, while low tide will follow later this afternoon, around 4:20 PM. With the full moon approaching tomorrow, fish activity should be on the upswing, especially for nocturnal feeders like tarpon.

Weather-wise, the Keys are graced with spring’s mild warmth today. Temperatures will hover between 78°F and 84°F, with winds from the east-northeast at 15-20 mph. Conditions might be a bit choppy offshore, so plan accordingly.

April is truly the peak of tarpon season. These silver kings are abundant, especially in Key Largo, Islamorada, and deeper down towards the Seven Mile Bridge. Reports this week confirm steady tarpon action in the early morning hours near the bridges and channels. Live mullet and large shrimp are the go-to baits for these acrobatic beauties, but don’t overlook artificial options like the Hogy 10-inch Original Eel for shallow waters or weighted Pro Tail Eels for deeper channels.

Other species making waves include bonefish along the ocean-side flats near Marathon and permit on the reefs. The bonefish bite has been impressive earlier in the day, with anglers finding success using live shrimp or small crabs. For artificial lures, DOA Shrimp and paddle-tail jigs have been productive. Out on the reefs, you’ll find yellowtail snapper and mutton snapper taking frozen sardines and pilchards.

Offshore action is heating up with early arrivals of mahi mahi and blackfin tuna. Trolling techniques with lures such as Squinnow Jigs or Pro Tail Eels have been productive this week, especially around the Marathon Humps. Keep your trolling speeds around 4.5 knots for optimal results.

If you're looking for hot spots today, start at the Channel 5 Bridge near Long Key for a mix of tarpon, snapper, and grouper. Another excellent option is Lignumvitae Key near Lower Matecumbe, where bonefish and tarpon have been active on the flats during high tide.

Stay safe, enjoy the water, and tight lines! Whether you’re fighting a leaping tarpon or reeling in a snapper dinner, the Florida Keys have plenty to offer this April day.
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