Artificial Lure here with your Florida Keys fishing report for Monday, November 24, 2025.

We’re waking up to fair conditions, with the *Farmers’ Almanac* calling for decent evening fishing today. The tides are gentle but favorable for inshore action: over in Key West, expect low tide at 6:08 AM and high tide at 12:55 PM, giving anglers a good window around midday for both reef and backcountry fishing according to Tide-Forecast.com. In Marathon—right in the middle of the Keys—major bite times are forecasted between 2:30–4:30 AM, 9:32–11:32 AM, and 2:52–4:52 PM, with the best moon influence late afternoon per Fishing Reminder.

The day breaks with sunrise at 6:48 AM, and you’ll have light all the way until sunset at 5:37 PM, per Time and Date. Weather’s stable: light easterly winds at 8–12 knots and a mild chop on the water, with temps nudging 74–78°F—a classic late November Keys morning.

Offshore, captains are reporting solid numbers of mahi mahi trolling weed lines, along with kingfish stacking up around the Hump and drop-offs. Mixed catches of snapper (mangrove, yellowtail, and mutton) abound on natural and artificial reefs. Reef anglers are boxing up plenty of keepers, but expect to release a handful too, like evidenced by recent charters noted on Captain Experiences—expect to reel in dozens but keep only the choicest fillets.

On the flats, bonefish and permit have been active at first light near Islamorada and Marathon—shallow water sight fishing is prime. Light spinning tackle with live shrimp or small crab imitations are pulling bites. For fly rodders, white and tan crab patterns or a classic Gotcha fly are the go-to.

If you’re chasing tarpon or snook in the backcountry creeks, upsize your baits—a trend recommended by Major League Fishing pros this time of year. Larger profile swimbaits, big spinnerbaits with willow blades, and oversize jerkbaits are provoking reaction strikes in water holding mullet schools. For those stubborn bite windows, try bumping up to a 1/2-oz or 3/4-oz green and gold spinnerbait, or work a beefy squarebill crankbait along mangrove edges.

For bait, live shrimp and pilchards remain topside favorite for most species right now. Cut bait from ladyfish or ballyhoo is producing groupers and mackerel over rough patch reefs. If you run short—two small bags of squid paired with cut bait from bycatch worked well for some charter crews this week, as reported by Captain Experiences.

Hot spots include:
- **Seven Mile Bridge**: Reliable snapper and grouper action, with reef predators lurking below.
- **Long Key Flats**: Early-morning bonefish and permit, especially on a flood tide.
- **Marathon Hump**: Offshore pelagics—mahi, kingfish, and tuna running strong on trolled lures and live bait.

For shore or kayak casters, Old Seven Mile Bridge and Lower Keys bridges have been delivering solid mixed bags at sunset on jigs tipped with shrimp or small paddle tails.

In summary, pack your heavier profile lures, bring fresh live bait, and set up before dusk or dawn for the most action. Watch those major and minor bite windows—today, the late morning and afternoon hours could be golden.

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