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"Tarpon, Bonefish, and Mahi-Mahi: Your Miami and Florida Keys Fishing Report for April 4, 2025"
Good morning, anglers! Today is April 4, 2025, and here’s your fishing report for Miami and the Florida Keys.
The Florida Keys are buzzing with action as spring temperatures stabilize and the waters warm up. Sunrise today was at 7:05 a.m., with sunset expected at 7:45 p.m. The tides feature a high tide mid-morning and a low tide early afternoon, so plan accordingly for the changing water depths to target fish near structure or feeding areas.
**Fish Activity and Catches:**
April is peak tarpon season, and these acrobatic silver beasts are abundant from Miami down through the Keys. Look for them in deeper channels and around bridges, especially near Islamorada and Key Largo. Live crabs or big shrimp are the go-to baits for tarpon, though soft plastic paddle tails like the Hogy Original Eel also do wonders for these wary surface rollers.
Bonefish are active on the ocean-side flats near Islamorada and Marathon. They are chasing live shrimp and small crabs, excellent bait choices for these "ghosts of the flats." Permit fishing has been slower recently, but a few anglers are still reporting success on the flats using live crabs.
Offshore, the bigger mahi-mahi are making an appearance, with anglers hooking into quality fish just beyond the 100 to 150-foot depth range. Wahoo have also been biting along the reefs, so if you get a hit, mark your spot and return because they often school in the area. Reef and wreck fishing has been productive for yellowtail snapper, mangrove snapper, and grouper, all of which are excellent for the dinner table. Use cut bait or squid, and don’t forget to chum to bring them close.
Inshore action near the Everglades is consistent for redfish, sea trout, and snook, especially around Flamingo and the Florida Bay area. Light tackle and live shrimp will work best in the flats and mangroves.
**Hot Spots:**
1. The Seven Mile Bridge - A perennial favorite! Fish the shadow lines during the evening for tarpon or throughout the day for snapper and grouper. The soft plastic No Live Bait Needed (NLBN) 3-inch paddle tails are performing exceptionally well.
2. Bahia Honda State Park - Fantastic for bonefish and the occasional tarpon. A perfect shore fishing spot when the wind is cooperating.
3. Indian Key Channel - Known for consistent catches of grouper, snapper, and barracuda. Bring along jigs tipped with squid or shrimp.
**Best Baits and Lures:**
- For tarpon, live blue crabs and fresh shrimp are excellent, but soft plastics like the Hogy Original Eel (unweighted) or paddle tails are highly effective.
- Snapper and grouper are biting well on squid, cut bait, and small jigs.
- For bonefish, live shrimp and crab are foolproof options.
- Offshore anglers targeting mahi and wahoo should try trolling with weighted Pro Tail Eels in colors like bone/glow or black/purple flake.
**Weather Report:**
You can expect warm and mostly sunny conditions today, with temperatures in the mid-80s. Winds are light at about 10-12 knots, coming out of the southeast—ideal for a calmer day out on the water.
Get out there, stay safe, and tight lines!
The Florida Keys are buzzing with action as spring temperatures stabilize and the waters warm up. Sunrise today was at 7:05 a.m., with sunset expected at 7:45 p.m. The tides feature a high tide mid-morning and a low tide early afternoon, so plan accordingly for the changing water depths to target fish near structure or feeding areas.
**Fish Activity and Catches:**
April is peak tarpon season, and these acrobatic silver beasts are abundant from Miami down through the Keys. Look for them in deeper channels and around bridges, especially near Islamorada and Key Largo. Live crabs or big shrimp are the go-to baits for tarpon, though soft plastic paddle tails like the Hogy Original Eel also do wonders for these wary surface rollers.
Bonefish are active on the ocean-side flats near Islamorada and Marathon. They are chasing live shrimp and small crabs, excellent bait choices for these "ghosts of the flats." Permit fishing has been slower recently, but a few anglers are still reporting success on the flats using live crabs.
Offshore, the bigger mahi-mahi are making an appearance, with anglers hooking into quality fish just beyond the 100 to 150-foot depth range. Wahoo have also been biting along the reefs, so if you get a hit, mark your spot and return because they often school in the area. Reef and wreck fishing has been productive for yellowtail snapper, mangrove snapper, and grouper, all of which are excellent for the dinner table. Use cut bait or squid, and don’t forget to chum to bring them close.
Inshore action near the Everglades is consistent for redfish, sea trout, and snook, especially around Flamingo and the Florida Bay area. Light tackle and live shrimp will work best in the flats and mangroves.
**Hot Spots:**
1. The Seven Mile Bridge - A perennial favorite! Fish the shadow lines during the evening for tarpon or throughout the day for snapper and grouper. The soft plastic No Live Bait Needed (NLBN) 3-inch paddle tails are performing exceptionally well.
2. Bahia Honda State Park - Fantastic for bonefish and the occasional tarpon. A perfect shore fishing spot when the wind is cooperating.
3. Indian Key Channel - Known for consistent catches of grouper, snapper, and barracuda. Bring along jigs tipped with squid or shrimp.
**Best Baits and Lures:**
- For tarpon, live blue crabs and fresh shrimp are excellent, but soft plastics like the Hogy Original Eel (unweighted) or paddle tails are highly effective.
- Snapper and grouper are biting well on squid, cut bait, and small jigs.
- For bonefish, live shrimp and crab are foolproof options.
- Offshore anglers targeting mahi and wahoo should try trolling with weighted Pro Tail Eels in colors like bone/glow or black/purple flake.
**Weather Report:**
You can expect warm and mostly sunny conditions today, with temperatures in the mid-80s. Winds are light at about 10-12 knots, coming out of the southeast—ideal for a calmer day out on the water.
Get out there, stay safe, and tight lines!
View all episodes
By Quiet. PleaseGood morning, anglers! Today is April 4, 2025, and here’s your fishing report for Miami and the Florida Keys.
The Florida Keys are buzzing with action as spring temperatures stabilize and the waters warm up. Sunrise today was at 7:05 a.m., with sunset expected at 7:45 p.m. The tides feature a high tide mid-morning and a low tide early afternoon, so plan accordingly for the changing water depths to target fish near structure or feeding areas.
**Fish Activity and Catches:**
April is peak tarpon season, and these acrobatic silver beasts are abundant from Miami down through the Keys. Look for them in deeper channels and around bridges, especially near Islamorada and Key Largo. Live crabs or big shrimp are the go-to baits for tarpon, though soft plastic paddle tails like the Hogy Original Eel also do wonders for these wary surface rollers.
Bonefish are active on the ocean-side flats near Islamorada and Marathon. They are chasing live shrimp and small crabs, excellent bait choices for these "ghosts of the flats." Permit fishing has been slower recently, but a few anglers are still reporting success on the flats using live crabs.
Offshore, the bigger mahi-mahi are making an appearance, with anglers hooking into quality fish just beyond the 100 to 150-foot depth range. Wahoo have also been biting along the reefs, so if you get a hit, mark your spot and return because they often school in the area. Reef and wreck fishing has been productive for yellowtail snapper, mangrove snapper, and grouper, all of which are excellent for the dinner table. Use cut bait or squid, and don’t forget to chum to bring them close.
Inshore action near the Everglades is consistent for redfish, sea trout, and snook, especially around Flamingo and the Florida Bay area. Light tackle and live shrimp will work best in the flats and mangroves.
**Hot Spots:**
1. The Seven Mile Bridge - A perennial favorite! Fish the shadow lines during the evening for tarpon or throughout the day for snapper and grouper. The soft plastic No Live Bait Needed (NLBN) 3-inch paddle tails are performing exceptionally well.
2. Bahia Honda State Park - Fantastic for bonefish and the occasional tarpon. A perfect shore fishing spot when the wind is cooperating.
3. Indian Key Channel - Known for consistent catches of grouper, snapper, and barracuda. Bring along jigs tipped with squid or shrimp.
**Best Baits and Lures:**
- For tarpon, live blue crabs and fresh shrimp are excellent, but soft plastics like the Hogy Original Eel (unweighted) or paddle tails are highly effective.
- Snapper and grouper are biting well on squid, cut bait, and small jigs.
- For bonefish, live shrimp and crab are foolproof options.
- Offshore anglers targeting mahi and wahoo should try trolling with weighted Pro Tail Eels in colors like bone/glow or black/purple flake.
**Weather Report:**
You can expect warm and mostly sunny conditions today, with temperatures in the mid-80s. Winds are light at about 10-12 knots, coming out of the southeast—ideal for a calmer day out on the water.
Get out there, stay safe, and tight lines!
The Florida Keys are buzzing with action as spring temperatures stabilize and the waters warm up. Sunrise today was at 7:05 a.m., with sunset expected at 7:45 p.m. The tides feature a high tide mid-morning and a low tide early afternoon, so plan accordingly for the changing water depths to target fish near structure or feeding areas.
**Fish Activity and Catches:**
April is peak tarpon season, and these acrobatic silver beasts are abundant from Miami down through the Keys. Look for them in deeper channels and around bridges, especially near Islamorada and Key Largo. Live crabs or big shrimp are the go-to baits for tarpon, though soft plastic paddle tails like the Hogy Original Eel also do wonders for these wary surface rollers.
Bonefish are active on the ocean-side flats near Islamorada and Marathon. They are chasing live shrimp and small crabs, excellent bait choices for these "ghosts of the flats." Permit fishing has been slower recently, but a few anglers are still reporting success on the flats using live crabs.
Offshore, the bigger mahi-mahi are making an appearance, with anglers hooking into quality fish just beyond the 100 to 150-foot depth range. Wahoo have also been biting along the reefs, so if you get a hit, mark your spot and return because they often school in the area. Reef and wreck fishing has been productive for yellowtail snapper, mangrove snapper, and grouper, all of which are excellent for the dinner table. Use cut bait or squid, and don’t forget to chum to bring them close.
Inshore action near the Everglades is consistent for redfish, sea trout, and snook, especially around Flamingo and the Florida Bay area. Light tackle and live shrimp will work best in the flats and mangroves.
**Hot Spots:**
1. The Seven Mile Bridge - A perennial favorite! Fish the shadow lines during the evening for tarpon or throughout the day for snapper and grouper. The soft plastic No Live Bait Needed (NLBN) 3-inch paddle tails are performing exceptionally well.
2. Bahia Honda State Park - Fantastic for bonefish and the occasional tarpon. A perfect shore fishing spot when the wind is cooperating.
3. Indian Key Channel - Known for consistent catches of grouper, snapper, and barracuda. Bring along jigs tipped with squid or shrimp.
**Best Baits and Lures:**
- For tarpon, live blue crabs and fresh shrimp are excellent, but soft plastics like the Hogy Original Eel (unweighted) or paddle tails are highly effective.
- Snapper and grouper are biting well on squid, cut bait, and small jigs.
- For bonefish, live shrimp and crab are foolproof options.
- Offshore anglers targeting mahi and wahoo should try trolling with weighted Pro Tail Eels in colors like bone/glow or black/purple flake.
**Weather Report:**
You can expect warm and mostly sunny conditions today, with temperatures in the mid-80s. Winds are light at about 10-12 knots, coming out of the southeast—ideal for a calmer day out on the water.
Get out there, stay safe, and tight lines!