Good morning, Florida Keys anglers—Artificial Lure here with your Friday fishing report for August 8, 2025. The bite’s on, and the salty summertime rhythm is in full swing across the islands.

We kicked off this day with sunrise at 7:00 AM, and you can expect another vibrant sunset at 7:58 PM. Tidal action today for the Lower Keys (think Big Pine and Key West) started with a high around 1:48 AM, a low lining up at 9:08 AM, a second high tide near 3:06 PM, and finishing with a low at 8:25 PM. Tidal coefficients are riding in the average-to-strong range (59 climbing to 70 as the day goes on), which means a good bit of moving water for hungry fish—especially during those peak changes in the morning and late afternoon, so time your trips[2][6].

Weatherwise, NOAA and local forecasts have the Florida Keys sweating through some heat, with southern winds and typical August humidity. Afternoons bring about a 60% chance of thunderstorms, and that means things can get blustery and choppy real quick. Best to aim for dawn patrol or work the evening drop—those short but critical feeding windows are golden for action[3].

Now the fun part: what’s biting? Offshore, the Mahi Mahi have been running thick along weed lines, and Blackfin Tuna are still in play, especially if you’re trolling early. The action’s been “red-hot,” according to Angling Adventures Florida Keys, with most boats reporting full boxes by lunch if you find the birds and debris lines. Closer to the reefs, keeper-sized mangrove snapper and some solid grouper continue to please bottom fishers dropping live or cut bait[9]. Inshore, mangroves, bridges, and channel edges are loaded with snapper, sharks, and the odd snook for the patient. Folks tossing live shrimp or pilchards are getting bends all day[3][4].

If you’re itching for big pulls, don’t forget the late summer push of tarpon still rolling around the bridges at night—try a live pinfish or crab under float. Flats and backcountry spots have been delivering steady catches of bonefish and permit, especially on the right tides, and live crab or well-presented shrimp work wonders.

Best bait and lures today:
- If the water’s clear, scaled sardines and whitebait are your go-to for live offerings[4].
- When it’s a little murky or stained, pinfish and grunts shine through, with scented soft plastics or paddle-tails getting bites when visibility is low[4].
- Offshore, trolling ballyhoo or squid strips is putting Mahi and Blackfin on ice, while vertical jigs are picking up blackfin deep when you find a good marking[9].
- Around the reefs, try live shrimp, pilchards, or even a chunk of ballyhoo for consistent snapper action.

A couple of hot spots worth checking:
- The Marathon Hump for Blackfin Tuna and big Mahi if you’re geared up for offshore.
- Alexander’s Cut and the bridges around Bahia Honda for snapper, tarpon, and the occasional lurking grouper. Drift a live bait near structure on the falling tide for best results.

Overall, anglers have been filling coolers with plenty of snapper, some keeper grouper, dolphin (mahi), and solid numbers of blackfin. Reports from local guides say the numbers are very solid—just be sure to watch those harvest limits and check on the latest regs to keep things on the level[8].

Thanks for tuning in to your Florida Keys fishing report with Artificial Lure. Remember to subscribe and stay salty—all the best tight lines out there, and I’ll catch you next time.

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