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Islamorada Fishing Update: Tarpon Bite Sizzles, Reef Action Heats Up, and Offshore Mahi on the Prowl
Hello anglers, Artificial Lure here with your Islamorada fishing update for this beautiful Friday morning, May 23rd, 2025.
The tarpon bite that's been heating up all month continues to deliver! While bridge fishing has been slower than typical this season, the backcountry is where the action's at. Local guides have been reporting 6-10 bites per morning in the channels and basins north of Islamorada, especially on outgoing tides[5]. Just last week, one boat hooked into a monster 100-pounder right in the local channels[1].
If you're looking for table fare, the reef bite remains red-hot in 60-90 feet of water. Yellowtail snappers are thick in the chum slicks, with bigger mutton snappers hanging in the deeper zones[5]. The Everglades waters are also producing excellent catches of speckled trout, snook, redfish, and mangrove snappers[2].
For you offshore folks, mahi-mahi action is in full swing. Look for them around floating debris and weed lines in 600-800 feet. Keep your eyes peeled for frigate birds, and trolling skirted ballyhoo has been the ticket[5].
Today's tide is running out until mid-morning, making those early backcountry tarpon spots prime territory. With sunrise at about 6:30 AM and sunset around 8:00 PM, you've got plenty of daylight to work with. Weather's looking favorable with light easterly winds under 10 knots, perfect for getting out on the water.
For lures, silver spoons and swimming plugs are working well for the snook and jacks, while live shrimp and pilchards are your best bet for the snappers. If you're targeting tarpon, nothing beats a fresh mullet or crab in the channels, but fly anglers are having success with dark-colored patterns in the early morning.
Hot spots to check out this weekend: The channels behind Lignumvitae Key have been holding good numbers of tarpon, and Long Key bridge still has some fish despite being finicky[3]. For reef action, Alligator Reef has been consistently productive for yellowtail and mutton snappers.
Remember, if you're new to the area or want local expertise, booking with the pros at Robbie's Marina or Bud N' Mary's will put you on fish fast[5].
That's all for today, folks. This is Artificial Lure saying tight lines and see you on the water!
The tarpon bite that's been heating up all month continues to deliver! While bridge fishing has been slower than typical this season, the backcountry is where the action's at. Local guides have been reporting 6-10 bites per morning in the channels and basins north of Islamorada, especially on outgoing tides[5]. Just last week, one boat hooked into a monster 100-pounder right in the local channels[1].
If you're looking for table fare, the reef bite remains red-hot in 60-90 feet of water. Yellowtail snappers are thick in the chum slicks, with bigger mutton snappers hanging in the deeper zones[5]. The Everglades waters are also producing excellent catches of speckled trout, snook, redfish, and mangrove snappers[2].
For you offshore folks, mahi-mahi action is in full swing. Look for them around floating debris and weed lines in 600-800 feet. Keep your eyes peeled for frigate birds, and trolling skirted ballyhoo has been the ticket[5].
Today's tide is running out until mid-morning, making those early backcountry tarpon spots prime territory. With sunrise at about 6:30 AM and sunset around 8:00 PM, you've got plenty of daylight to work with. Weather's looking favorable with light easterly winds under 10 knots, perfect for getting out on the water.
For lures, silver spoons and swimming plugs are working well for the snook and jacks, while live shrimp and pilchards are your best bet for the snappers. If you're targeting tarpon, nothing beats a fresh mullet or crab in the channels, but fly anglers are having success with dark-colored patterns in the early morning.
Hot spots to check out this weekend: The channels behind Lignumvitae Key have been holding good numbers of tarpon, and Long Key bridge still has some fish despite being finicky[3]. For reef action, Alligator Reef has been consistently productive for yellowtail and mutton snappers.
Remember, if you're new to the area or want local expertise, booking with the pros at Robbie's Marina or Bud N' Mary's will put you on fish fast[5].
That's all for today, folks. This is Artificial Lure saying tight lines and see you on the water!
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By Quiet. PleaseHello anglers, Artificial Lure here with your Islamorada fishing update for this beautiful Friday morning, May 23rd, 2025.
The tarpon bite that's been heating up all month continues to deliver! While bridge fishing has been slower than typical this season, the backcountry is where the action's at. Local guides have been reporting 6-10 bites per morning in the channels and basins north of Islamorada, especially on outgoing tides[5]. Just last week, one boat hooked into a monster 100-pounder right in the local channels[1].
If you're looking for table fare, the reef bite remains red-hot in 60-90 feet of water. Yellowtail snappers are thick in the chum slicks, with bigger mutton snappers hanging in the deeper zones[5]. The Everglades waters are also producing excellent catches of speckled trout, snook, redfish, and mangrove snappers[2].
For you offshore folks, mahi-mahi action is in full swing. Look for them around floating debris and weed lines in 600-800 feet. Keep your eyes peeled for frigate birds, and trolling skirted ballyhoo has been the ticket[5].
Today's tide is running out until mid-morning, making those early backcountry tarpon spots prime territory. With sunrise at about 6:30 AM and sunset around 8:00 PM, you've got plenty of daylight to work with. Weather's looking favorable with light easterly winds under 10 knots, perfect for getting out on the water.
For lures, silver spoons and swimming plugs are working well for the snook and jacks, while live shrimp and pilchards are your best bet for the snappers. If you're targeting tarpon, nothing beats a fresh mullet or crab in the channels, but fly anglers are having success with dark-colored patterns in the early morning.
Hot spots to check out this weekend: The channels behind Lignumvitae Key have been holding good numbers of tarpon, and Long Key bridge still has some fish despite being finicky[3]. For reef action, Alligator Reef has been consistently productive for yellowtail and mutton snappers.
Remember, if you're new to the area or want local expertise, booking with the pros at Robbie's Marina or Bud N' Mary's will put you on fish fast[5].
That's all for today, folks. This is Artificial Lure saying tight lines and see you on the water!
The tarpon bite that's been heating up all month continues to deliver! While bridge fishing has been slower than typical this season, the backcountry is where the action's at. Local guides have been reporting 6-10 bites per morning in the channels and basins north of Islamorada, especially on outgoing tides[5]. Just last week, one boat hooked into a monster 100-pounder right in the local channels[1].
If you're looking for table fare, the reef bite remains red-hot in 60-90 feet of water. Yellowtail snappers are thick in the chum slicks, with bigger mutton snappers hanging in the deeper zones[5]. The Everglades waters are also producing excellent catches of speckled trout, snook, redfish, and mangrove snappers[2].
For you offshore folks, mahi-mahi action is in full swing. Look for them around floating debris and weed lines in 600-800 feet. Keep your eyes peeled for frigate birds, and trolling skirted ballyhoo has been the ticket[5].
Today's tide is running out until mid-morning, making those early backcountry tarpon spots prime territory. With sunrise at about 6:30 AM and sunset around 8:00 PM, you've got plenty of daylight to work with. Weather's looking favorable with light easterly winds under 10 knots, perfect for getting out on the water.
For lures, silver spoons and swimming plugs are working well for the snook and jacks, while live shrimp and pilchards are your best bet for the snappers. If you're targeting tarpon, nothing beats a fresh mullet or crab in the channels, but fly anglers are having success with dark-colored patterns in the early morning.
Hot spots to check out this weekend: The channels behind Lignumvitae Key have been holding good numbers of tarpon, and Long Key bridge still has some fish despite being finicky[3]. For reef action, Alligator Reef has been consistently productive for yellowtail and mutton snappers.
Remember, if you're new to the area or want local expertise, booking with the pros at Robbie's Marina or Bud N' Mary's will put you on fish fast[5].
That's all for today, folks. This is Artificial Lure saying tight lines and see you on the water!