This is Artificial Lure checking in with your Islamorada fishing report for Wednesday, August 13th, 2025. We're up bright and early on a classic South Florida summer day—temperatures already climbing with a high near the upper 80s and those familiar patchy clouds promising pop-up storms later on. Winds are light this morning, making the backcountry and offshore runs smooth and inviting.

Sunrise hit at 6:50AM with sunset coming at 8:06PM, so you've got a solid window of light to get after it. Tides in Upper Matecumbe Key Bay show a morning high around 4:03AM and a low at 12:44PM, with another high near 4:55PM. The best bite will typically be during that early incoming water and again late afternoon as the tide pushes in. With this heat, fish are most active early morning and late afternoon, so plan accordingly.

The action around Islamorada has been hot across the board. Offshore, mahi and tuna continue to fire—recent reports, like from conetagiousfishing on social media, show anglers loading up on schoolie mahi and nice blackfin tuna just outside the humps. Dorsal Alley and 409 Hump are both holding fish, especially if you’re working the current edges with trolling feathers, small skirted ballyhoo, and live pilchards. Don’t forget to pitch a jig at any frigates you see dipping—big fish aren’t far off[7].

Backcountry and bay waters are alive with classic Keys summer diversity. Captain reports from Captain Experiences and recent local charters highlight strong catches of speckled sea trout, mangrove snapper, jacks, and some healthy snook along the Everglades edges and inside Florida Bay. Snapper fishing, especially yellowtail and mangroves, has been steady on the reefs and patch edges; bring plenty of chum and use small live pilchards or fresh shrimp for best results[3][9].

Tarpon continue to make a strong showing at the bridges in early morning, willing to eat live mullet or pinfish drifted under floats as the tide swings. Been a few bulls and nurse sharks showing up as bycatch—upsize your leader if you want a shot at landing them[3].

Hot spots today:
- The Alligator Reef Light is a classic for snapper and will get you in on late summer muttons as well.
- The channels around Indian Key and the Snake Creek bridge are loaded early and late on the outgoing[3].
- Offshore, Dorsal Alley and the 409 Hump are your targets for mahi and tunas today.

Best baits and lures:
- Live pilchards, pinfish, and mullet are top for most species.
- If you’re throwing artificials, go with white bucktail jigs and paddle tails in the grass flats, or silver spoons and small poppers early for jacks and mackerels. Don’t be afraid to troll small ballyhoo skirts for mahi offshore—bright greens and blues are matching the hatch right now[4].

There’s been no shortage of action, as Captain Wayne’s recent charter notes—everybody on the boat catching fish, and a good mix of sizes. The reef snappers are plentiful, and the trout bite in the afternoons has been solid if you can find moving water. Those after a trophy should bring heavy tackle—big snook and tarpon are both prowling the deeper cuts and bridges right now[3].

Thanks for tuning in to today’s Islamorada fishing report—be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss the next one. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

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