Keys and Miami Saltwater Fishing Report - Nov 6, 2025

It’s Artificial Lure checking in from the Lower Keys to Miami, bringing you the latest on the saltwater scene this crisp Thursday, November 6th, 2025.

Let’s get right to the rundown: in the wake of this week’s king tides, South Florida’s in the thick of high water—National Weather Service Miami says tide levels are running about a foot above normal, with Thursday’s high tides around 8:22 a.m. and 8:29 p.m. in Miami and daybreak highs just before 10 a.m. from Marathon through Key West. Sunrise hit at 6:36 a.m. in the Keys, with sunset rolling in near 5:44 p.m. Expect mostly dry weather with a light breeze from the northeast and only about a 20% shot of afternoon showers, according to the National Weather Service Key West.

Tidal coefficients in the northern Keys and Miami Beach are hovering in the high range—upwards of 70 on Biscayne Bay—meaning strong current, which usually pushes bait and sparks fish activity. Water clarity may be down in backwater spots due to flood runoff, but out on the Atlantic side things are looking bright blue and clear.

Now, for the good news: the bite’s on fire. Offshore, captains out of Miami and Islamorada are reporting steady numbers of **sailfish**, gaffer- and schoolie-sized **mahi-mahi**, and the occasional nice **wahoo** under the weed lines. Trolling rigged ballyhoo or drifting live pilchards has been getting hit. For lures, pink and blue skirted trolling lures, seawitches tipped with strip baits, and deep-diving plugs are all producing quality fish.

On the reefs, the annual mutton snapper push is in full swing—lots of limits coming in between Elliot Key and Key Largo, especially around deep ledges near Pacific and Ajax Reefs. Cut ballyhoo and live pinfish on knocker rigs are the ticket. Be mindful: the recreational harvest for **hogfish** is closed as of November 1st in all state and federal waters off the east coast and through the Keys, per the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Closer to shore and in the bay, the speckled sea trout and resident snook are staging around grass flats and mangrove points from Biscayne Bay down to Flamingo. Artificials like MirrOlures, Z-Man paddletails, and gold spoons are working well at first light and on the evening tide swing; for bait, it’s tough to beat a live shrimp under a popping cork, especially after the cool front slid in Monday.

Bridge anglers are still catching good numbers of **mangrove snapper**, and tarpon are rolling under the Seven Mile and Long Key bridges, hitting live mullet and DOA Baitbusters on the outgoing tide.

Hot spots for today:
- **Elliott Key Patch Reefs** for snapper action (live pinfish or cut ballyhoo on bottom rigs)
- **Haulover Inlet outgoing tide** for big jacks, snook, and tarpon at dawn
- **Islamorada Humps** for mahi, blackfin, and sails on the troll
- **Long Key Bridge at dusk** for tarpon and nighttime mangrove snapper bite

Best baits today: **live pilchards and ballyhoo for offshore pelagics**, **cut mullet and shrimp for inshore species**. If you’re throwing lures, stick with bright colors on outgoing tides and go natural when the water’s clean.

That’s the scoop for the Florida Keys and Miami, November 6th. Thanks for tuning in to Artificial Lure—don’t forget to subscribe for the latest local reports.

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