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Keys Fishing Report for April 16, 2025: Tarpon, Snook, and More Amid Windy Conditions
Howdy, this is Artificial Lure with your Florida Keys fishing report for Wednesday, April 16, 2025. We’re heading into another spring day that’s perfect for anglers willing to put in the work, especially around the islands and flats.
Sunrise lit up the water at 7:04 AM and sunset will wind things down at 7:49 PM. Tides are pretty active today, with a high at 12:09 PM and lows around 5:28 AM and 6:56 PM in Key West. Plan your fishing around those moving waters for your best shot at action, especially early or late in the day when the fish are feeding[6][10].
Weather-wise, we’ve been dealing with some stiff wind—up to 20-25 mph at times—but the warming trend has finally kicked in and water conditions are stabilizing. The fish respond better now that temps are up, though the wind can make it a little sporty out there. Seek lee shorelines or sheltered channels if you want to avoid the worst of it[5][9].
Tarpon are starting to show more consistently. It’s not the easiest bite yet, but the big silver kings are coming on strong in the channels around Islamorada, especially at first light and just before dusk. Folks are still having to work for their fish, but live mullet and dead baits have both produced, with several boats reporting a couple tarpon each trip. There’s been some frustration with missed bites due to the wind and a few break-offs, but persistence has paid with a handful of 40-50 lb fish up for photos—especially near bridges and channel mouths[5][9].
Snook and trout are snapping inshore, particularly for kayak anglers and those who can tuck into the mangroves and shallower backcountry spots. Jacks and sharks also providing steady action, especially when the tarpon aren’t cooperating[1][5][9]. Redfish are making a comeback, and bonefish are cruising the flats on the warmer days. Permit fishing remains a bit tough, with big schools still further south but hopefully moving up soon[9].
As for lures, you can’t go wrong with soft plastics like DOA Shrimp, paddle tail jigs, or even a well-presented Baitbuster. For bait, live mullet, shrimp, crabs, pilchards, and pinfish are the top picks. Flats anglers should rig for stealth—light leader, small hooks, and natural presentations are key right now[8].
A couple hot spots to try: The bridges at Channel 2 and 5 are producing tarpon and snapper, while the flats north of Marathon and the backcountry between Islamorada and Flamingo are holding snook, juvenile tarpon, and the occasional redfish. For deeper action, Key West wrecks are still a good bet for a mixed bag of snapper and the odd grouper[4][5][9].
That’s the latest from Artificial Lure. Tight lines, keep it bent, and see you out there on the water.
Sunrise lit up the water at 7:04 AM and sunset will wind things down at 7:49 PM. Tides are pretty active today, with a high at 12:09 PM and lows around 5:28 AM and 6:56 PM in Key West. Plan your fishing around those moving waters for your best shot at action, especially early or late in the day when the fish are feeding[6][10].
Weather-wise, we’ve been dealing with some stiff wind—up to 20-25 mph at times—but the warming trend has finally kicked in and water conditions are stabilizing. The fish respond better now that temps are up, though the wind can make it a little sporty out there. Seek lee shorelines or sheltered channels if you want to avoid the worst of it[5][9].
Tarpon are starting to show more consistently. It’s not the easiest bite yet, but the big silver kings are coming on strong in the channels around Islamorada, especially at first light and just before dusk. Folks are still having to work for their fish, but live mullet and dead baits have both produced, with several boats reporting a couple tarpon each trip. There’s been some frustration with missed bites due to the wind and a few break-offs, but persistence has paid with a handful of 40-50 lb fish up for photos—especially near bridges and channel mouths[5][9].
Snook and trout are snapping inshore, particularly for kayak anglers and those who can tuck into the mangroves and shallower backcountry spots. Jacks and sharks also providing steady action, especially when the tarpon aren’t cooperating[1][5][9]. Redfish are making a comeback, and bonefish are cruising the flats on the warmer days. Permit fishing remains a bit tough, with big schools still further south but hopefully moving up soon[9].
As for lures, you can’t go wrong with soft plastics like DOA Shrimp, paddle tail jigs, or even a well-presented Baitbuster. For bait, live mullet, shrimp, crabs, pilchards, and pinfish are the top picks. Flats anglers should rig for stealth—light leader, small hooks, and natural presentations are key right now[8].
A couple hot spots to try: The bridges at Channel 2 and 5 are producing tarpon and snapper, while the flats north of Marathon and the backcountry between Islamorada and Flamingo are holding snook, juvenile tarpon, and the occasional redfish. For deeper action, Key West wrecks are still a good bet for a mixed bag of snapper and the odd grouper[4][5][9].
That’s the latest from Artificial Lure. Tight lines, keep it bent, and see you out there on the water.
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By Quiet. PleaseHowdy, this is Artificial Lure with your Florida Keys fishing report for Wednesday, April 16, 2025. We’re heading into another spring day that’s perfect for anglers willing to put in the work, especially around the islands and flats.
Sunrise lit up the water at 7:04 AM and sunset will wind things down at 7:49 PM. Tides are pretty active today, with a high at 12:09 PM and lows around 5:28 AM and 6:56 PM in Key West. Plan your fishing around those moving waters for your best shot at action, especially early or late in the day when the fish are feeding[6][10].
Weather-wise, we’ve been dealing with some stiff wind—up to 20-25 mph at times—but the warming trend has finally kicked in and water conditions are stabilizing. The fish respond better now that temps are up, though the wind can make it a little sporty out there. Seek lee shorelines or sheltered channels if you want to avoid the worst of it[5][9].
Tarpon are starting to show more consistently. It’s not the easiest bite yet, but the big silver kings are coming on strong in the channels around Islamorada, especially at first light and just before dusk. Folks are still having to work for their fish, but live mullet and dead baits have both produced, with several boats reporting a couple tarpon each trip. There’s been some frustration with missed bites due to the wind and a few break-offs, but persistence has paid with a handful of 40-50 lb fish up for photos—especially near bridges and channel mouths[5][9].
Snook and trout are snapping inshore, particularly for kayak anglers and those who can tuck into the mangroves and shallower backcountry spots. Jacks and sharks also providing steady action, especially when the tarpon aren’t cooperating[1][5][9]. Redfish are making a comeback, and bonefish are cruising the flats on the warmer days. Permit fishing remains a bit tough, with big schools still further south but hopefully moving up soon[9].
As for lures, you can’t go wrong with soft plastics like DOA Shrimp, paddle tail jigs, or even a well-presented Baitbuster. For bait, live mullet, shrimp, crabs, pilchards, and pinfish are the top picks. Flats anglers should rig for stealth—light leader, small hooks, and natural presentations are key right now[8].
A couple hot spots to try: The bridges at Channel 2 and 5 are producing tarpon and snapper, while the flats north of Marathon and the backcountry between Islamorada and Flamingo are holding snook, juvenile tarpon, and the occasional redfish. For deeper action, Key West wrecks are still a good bet for a mixed bag of snapper and the odd grouper[4][5][9].
That’s the latest from Artificial Lure. Tight lines, keep it bent, and see you out there on the water.
Sunrise lit up the water at 7:04 AM and sunset will wind things down at 7:49 PM. Tides are pretty active today, with a high at 12:09 PM and lows around 5:28 AM and 6:56 PM in Key West. Plan your fishing around those moving waters for your best shot at action, especially early or late in the day when the fish are feeding[6][10].
Weather-wise, we’ve been dealing with some stiff wind—up to 20-25 mph at times—but the warming trend has finally kicked in and water conditions are stabilizing. The fish respond better now that temps are up, though the wind can make it a little sporty out there. Seek lee shorelines or sheltered channels if you want to avoid the worst of it[5][9].
Tarpon are starting to show more consistently. It’s not the easiest bite yet, but the big silver kings are coming on strong in the channels around Islamorada, especially at first light and just before dusk. Folks are still having to work for their fish, but live mullet and dead baits have both produced, with several boats reporting a couple tarpon each trip. There’s been some frustration with missed bites due to the wind and a few break-offs, but persistence has paid with a handful of 40-50 lb fish up for photos—especially near bridges and channel mouths[5][9].
Snook and trout are snapping inshore, particularly for kayak anglers and those who can tuck into the mangroves and shallower backcountry spots. Jacks and sharks also providing steady action, especially when the tarpon aren’t cooperating[1][5][9]. Redfish are making a comeback, and bonefish are cruising the flats on the warmer days. Permit fishing remains a bit tough, with big schools still further south but hopefully moving up soon[9].
As for lures, you can’t go wrong with soft plastics like DOA Shrimp, paddle tail jigs, or even a well-presented Baitbuster. For bait, live mullet, shrimp, crabs, pilchards, and pinfish are the top picks. Flats anglers should rig for stealth—light leader, small hooks, and natural presentations are key right now[8].
A couple hot spots to try: The bridges at Channel 2 and 5 are producing tarpon and snapper, while the flats north of Marathon and the backcountry between Islamorada and Flamingo are holding snook, juvenile tarpon, and the occasional redfish. For deeper action, Key West wrecks are still a good bet for a mixed bag of snapper and the odd grouper[4][5][9].
That’s the latest from Artificial Lure. Tight lines, keep it bent, and see you out there on the water.