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Islamorada Fishing Report: Springtime Splendor in the Upper Keys
Good morning from beautiful Islamorada, this is Artificial Lure with your April 21 fishing report for the Upper Keys. Today’s sunrise was at 6:54 am and we’ll see sunset at 7:47 pm, giving us plenty of daylight for some great action on the water. We’re on a mild tide schedule with low tide at 1:00 am and again at 11:46 am, and high tides rolling in at 6:42 am and 5:21 pm. The tidal swings are pretty gentle today, which means lighter currents, ideal for targeting finicky fish that get spooky when the water’s ripping[4][5].
Weather’s looking friendly: expect light southeast winds, warm air in the mid-70s to low-80s, and mostly clear skies. This is classic springtime in the Keys, perfect for getting after the backcountry species or heading offshore if you want something bigger.
Reports from the past few days have been very solid across Islamorada. In the backcountry and around the bridges, there’s been a steady bite on mangrove snapper, sea trout, and a few snook mixed in. Live shrimp or pilchards under popping corks are top choices, but if you’re like me and love artificials, try a 3-inch white paddle tail or chartreuse jerk bait for the snook and trout they’ve been hitting them hard during moving water times.
Around the reefs and wrecks, yellowtail snapper are firing up, especially in the late afternoon as that high tide peaks. Chum slicks are drawing up some big flags. Fish small chunks of cut ballyhoo or squid on light tackle for best results. Grouper are starting to show, though remember to check the current regulations before dropping your lines.
Offshore, the dolphin (mahi-mahi) bite is heating up as the sargassum lines stack up in blue water. Trolled skirted ballyhoo and bright feather lures are working, and weedlines around 400 to 700 feet are putting up steady catches. There have also been reports of some blackfin tuna closer in, especially around the humps, so have a vertical jig or a small live blue runner ready if you run across some birds working.
Today’s hot spots include the Channel Two Bridge for snapper and the Alligator Reef Lighthouse for yellowtails and the occasional mutton. Inshore, the channels between Upper and Lower Matecumbe are holding good numbers of trout and scattered redfish.
Whether you’re working artificials or soaking live bait, today’s conditions are prime for a bend in your rod. Just keep an eye on the gentle tides and time your fishing around dawn, dusk, and the incoming high waters for the best action. Tight lines and see you on the water!
Weather’s looking friendly: expect light southeast winds, warm air in the mid-70s to low-80s, and mostly clear skies. This is classic springtime in the Keys, perfect for getting after the backcountry species or heading offshore if you want something bigger.
Reports from the past few days have been very solid across Islamorada. In the backcountry and around the bridges, there’s been a steady bite on mangrove snapper, sea trout, and a few snook mixed in. Live shrimp or pilchards under popping corks are top choices, but if you’re like me and love artificials, try a 3-inch white paddle tail or chartreuse jerk bait for the snook and trout they’ve been hitting them hard during moving water times.
Around the reefs and wrecks, yellowtail snapper are firing up, especially in the late afternoon as that high tide peaks. Chum slicks are drawing up some big flags. Fish small chunks of cut ballyhoo or squid on light tackle for best results. Grouper are starting to show, though remember to check the current regulations before dropping your lines.
Offshore, the dolphin (mahi-mahi) bite is heating up as the sargassum lines stack up in blue water. Trolled skirted ballyhoo and bright feather lures are working, and weedlines around 400 to 700 feet are putting up steady catches. There have also been reports of some blackfin tuna closer in, especially around the humps, so have a vertical jig or a small live blue runner ready if you run across some birds working.
Today’s hot spots include the Channel Two Bridge for snapper and the Alligator Reef Lighthouse for yellowtails and the occasional mutton. Inshore, the channels between Upper and Lower Matecumbe are holding good numbers of trout and scattered redfish.
Whether you’re working artificials or soaking live bait, today’s conditions are prime for a bend in your rod. Just keep an eye on the gentle tides and time your fishing around dawn, dusk, and the incoming high waters for the best action. Tight lines and see you on the water!
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By Quiet. PleaseGood morning from beautiful Islamorada, this is Artificial Lure with your April 21 fishing report for the Upper Keys. Today’s sunrise was at 6:54 am and we’ll see sunset at 7:47 pm, giving us plenty of daylight for some great action on the water. We’re on a mild tide schedule with low tide at 1:00 am and again at 11:46 am, and high tides rolling in at 6:42 am and 5:21 pm. The tidal swings are pretty gentle today, which means lighter currents, ideal for targeting finicky fish that get spooky when the water’s ripping[4][5].
Weather’s looking friendly: expect light southeast winds, warm air in the mid-70s to low-80s, and mostly clear skies. This is classic springtime in the Keys, perfect for getting after the backcountry species or heading offshore if you want something bigger.
Reports from the past few days have been very solid across Islamorada. In the backcountry and around the bridges, there’s been a steady bite on mangrove snapper, sea trout, and a few snook mixed in. Live shrimp or pilchards under popping corks are top choices, but if you’re like me and love artificials, try a 3-inch white paddle tail or chartreuse jerk bait for the snook and trout they’ve been hitting them hard during moving water times.
Around the reefs and wrecks, yellowtail snapper are firing up, especially in the late afternoon as that high tide peaks. Chum slicks are drawing up some big flags. Fish small chunks of cut ballyhoo or squid on light tackle for best results. Grouper are starting to show, though remember to check the current regulations before dropping your lines.
Offshore, the dolphin (mahi-mahi) bite is heating up as the sargassum lines stack up in blue water. Trolled skirted ballyhoo and bright feather lures are working, and weedlines around 400 to 700 feet are putting up steady catches. There have also been reports of some blackfin tuna closer in, especially around the humps, so have a vertical jig or a small live blue runner ready if you run across some birds working.
Today’s hot spots include the Channel Two Bridge for snapper and the Alligator Reef Lighthouse for yellowtails and the occasional mutton. Inshore, the channels between Upper and Lower Matecumbe are holding good numbers of trout and scattered redfish.
Whether you’re working artificials or soaking live bait, today’s conditions are prime for a bend in your rod. Just keep an eye on the gentle tides and time your fishing around dawn, dusk, and the incoming high waters for the best action. Tight lines and see you on the water!
Weather’s looking friendly: expect light southeast winds, warm air in the mid-70s to low-80s, and mostly clear skies. This is classic springtime in the Keys, perfect for getting after the backcountry species or heading offshore if you want something bigger.
Reports from the past few days have been very solid across Islamorada. In the backcountry and around the bridges, there’s been a steady bite on mangrove snapper, sea trout, and a few snook mixed in. Live shrimp or pilchards under popping corks are top choices, but if you’re like me and love artificials, try a 3-inch white paddle tail or chartreuse jerk bait for the snook and trout they’ve been hitting them hard during moving water times.
Around the reefs and wrecks, yellowtail snapper are firing up, especially in the late afternoon as that high tide peaks. Chum slicks are drawing up some big flags. Fish small chunks of cut ballyhoo or squid on light tackle for best results. Grouper are starting to show, though remember to check the current regulations before dropping your lines.
Offshore, the dolphin (mahi-mahi) bite is heating up as the sargassum lines stack up in blue water. Trolled skirted ballyhoo and bright feather lures are working, and weedlines around 400 to 700 feet are putting up steady catches. There have also been reports of some blackfin tuna closer in, especially around the humps, so have a vertical jig or a small live blue runner ready if you run across some birds working.
Today’s hot spots include the Channel Two Bridge for snapper and the Alligator Reef Lighthouse for yellowtails and the occasional mutton. Inshore, the channels between Upper and Lower Matecumbe are holding good numbers of trout and scattered redfish.
Whether you’re working artificials or soaking live bait, today’s conditions are prime for a bend in your rod. Just keep an eye on the gentle tides and time your fishing around dawn, dusk, and the incoming high waters for the best action. Tight lines and see you on the water!