Episodios

  • Keys Fishing Report: Reds, Tarpon, and Offshore Mahi in Prime Conditions

    Keys Fishing Report: Reds, Tarpon, and Offshore Mahi in Prime Conditions
    May 18 2025
    Good morning from the Florida Keys this Sunday, May eighteenth. Artificial Lure here with your on-the-water fishing report, bringing you the latest from the islands.

    We kicked off the day under partly cloudy skies, with sunrise right about 6:38 AM and sunset coming at 8:00 PM tonight. Winds have been light from the southeast, keeping those seas calm—just about perfect conditions out there. Tides have been running strong the past couple days, with a push just before sunrise and a falling tide through late morning, which lined up prime for inshore activity.

    Inshore, the redfish have been lighting up the flats. The early-morning bite has been hot, especially near grassy edges and mangrove islands. Anglers are getting steady action with live shrimp under popping corks, but plenty have been fooled by gold spoons and soft paddle-tail plastics as well. Juvenile tarpon are active in the backcountry creeks and basins, taking live pilchards and DOA baitbusters. Snook are also mixed in, holding tight to structure.

    Offshore, mahi mahi are scattered but steady. Boats working weed lines about ten to fifteen miles out have picked up nice schoolies and a few gaffers, mostly on rigged ballyhoo and bright trolling feathers. Some lucky crews have even hooked into a few striped marlin this week, which is a real treat for May. The water’s warm and blue, making conditions just right for pelagic chasers.

    Permit fishing has also stayed consistent, especially around the wrecks and shallow reefs. Live crabs have been the top bait, but a few have taken natural-colored jigs fished slow on the bottom.

    If you’re heading out and looking for hot spots, try the flats around Sugarloaf Key for reds and snook, and the Hens and Chickens Reef for a mixed bag of snapper and grouper. Offshore, follow the weed patches south of Alligator Reef Light—word is the mahi are holding tight there.

    To sum up, it’s classic May in the Keys: light winds, good tides, and a mixed bag of hungry fish. For lures, think gold spoons and white soft plastics inshore, and troll ballyhoo or feathers offshore. Bait-wise, live shrimp and pilchards are ticket in the backcountry, while offshore it’s tough to beat a well-rigged ballyhoo.

    Get out there early, beat the heat, and tight lines from the Keys!
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    3 m
  • Florida Keys Fishing Report: Snook, Redfish, and Offshore Action Sizzling

    Florida Keys Fishing Report: Snook, Redfish, and Offshore Action Sizzling
    May 17 2025
    Howdy there, anglers! This is Artificial Lure coming at you with the hottest fishing report for the Florida Keys on this fine Saturday morning, May 17th, 2025.

    Let me tell you, the action in the Keys is absolutely sizzling right now! Florida Bay has been on fire with snook being the main attraction these past couple weeks. Captain Ridge Murphy's been reporting excellent catches throughout early May, so today should be no different.

    Weather-wise, we're looking at southeast winds around 20 mph and mostly sunny skies today. Perfect conditions if you're heading offshore, just be prepared for some chop.

    Inshore fishing has been spectacular lately. The flats are producing some quality redfish, especially during the morning hours. If you're targeting reds, try working the shallow grass flats with gold spoons or soft plastic jerkbaits. Live shrimp and finger mullet have also been producing nice results.

    Snook action continues to be strong, particularly around mangrove shorelines and creek mouths. These bruisers are hitting topwater plugs early, then switching to soft plastics or live bait as the sun climbs higher.

    Offshore, yellowtail snapper are biting well in 60-90 feet of water. Fresh cut bait and small jigs tipped with squid are your best bet. Mahi are scattered but definitely worth pursuing if you're heading to the deep. Look for floating debris and frigate birds to locate them.

    Grouper season opened up on May 1st, and it's been fantastic so far. If conditions allow, try working structure in 80-120 feet with live pinfish or large jigs.

    We're also right on the cusp of seeing those big strings of migrating tarpon showing up. They should be arriving any day now, so keep your eyes peeled if you're near the bridges or channels.

    For hot spots today, I'd recommend trying the backcountry near Snake Bight for redfish and snook, or head to the reef line between Sombrero and Alligator for some quality yellowtail action. The bridges have been producing some nice mangrove snapper as well.

    The TUNA-FANDUEL SPORTS NETWORK event is happening today at 9:30 am, so expect some competition boats in the water.

    Remember folks, the early bird gets the worm, so hit those flats during the morning hours for your best shot at success. And don't forget to bring plenty of water to stay hydrated under that hot Florida sun.

    This is Artificial Lure signing off. Tight lines and good fishing to y'all!
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    3 m
  • Keys Fishing Report: Snapper, Tarpon, and Tuna Action Heats Up

    Keys Fishing Report: Snapper, Tarpon, and Tuna Action Heats Up
    May 16 2025
    Hey there, anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Florida Keys fishing report for Friday, May 16, 2025.

    The bite's been a bit of a mixed bag lately, but there's still plenty of action to be had throughout the Keys. Water temps have warmed up nicely since last month, making for more consistent fishing compared to the grind we saw back in April.

    Just yesterday, Captain Ridge Murphy released his weekly Keys report, and he's been finding good numbers on the wrecks and reefs. Mutton and lane snapper have been steady producers for folks looking for a hook-n-cook dinner. Several guides out of Marathon and Key West have reported excellent snapper action, with most boats limiting out when targeting them.

    Tarpon season is in full swing now, much improved from late April when the silver kings were playing hard to get. While the early spring was strange with fewer fish showing around the bridges and channels, those big schools have finally pushed in. Your best bet for tarpon is early morning or late afternoon around the bridges or in the backcountry channels.

    Offshore, the tuna bite remains solid, with blackfins providing steady action. Some permit are still around the flats, but you'll need to be quick on the draw - as one lady angler found out last month when she missed several shots while landing five nice bones on fly.

    For bait, live pilchards and pinfish are working well for snapper, while live crabs or mullet are your best bet for tarpon. If you're throwing artificials, try paddletails on jigheads around the bridges or topwater plugs early in the backcountry. Fly anglers should have black and purple tarpon patterns ready along with some small shrimp patterns for the bones.

    Hot spots this weekend: Check out the bridges around Marathon for tarpon, especially on the falling tide. The patch reefs off Big Pine Key have been holding good numbers of snapper. And if you're looking for a mixed bag, the channels around Summerland Key have been productive for everything from mangrove snapper to the occasional permit.

    The weather looks favorable for the weekend with light southeast winds in the morning switching to southwest in the afternoon. Tides are running about average with a high around mid-morning and another in the evening.

    Sunrise is at 6:38 AM and sunset at 8:02 PM, giving you plenty of daylight to get on the water. Just remember to keep an eye on those afternoon thunderstorms that might pop up.

    That's it for now, folks. Get out there and wet a line! This is Artificial Lure signing off until next time. Tight lines!
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    3 m
  • Keys Fishing Report: Grouper, Tarpon, and Offshore Action Amid Blustery Winds

    Keys Fishing Report: Grouper, Tarpon, and Offshore Action Amid Blustery Winds
    May 14 2025
    Good morning fellow anglers, this is Artificial Lure with your fresh Florida Keys fishing report for May 14, 2025. The Keys are buzzing with action and some classic springtime unpredictability, but there are still great opportunities for everyone willing to work with the conditions.

    First up, today's weather is shaping up mostly sunny with brisk southeast winds around 20 mph. That breeze is keeping surface chop lively out on the reefs and offshore, so be sure to check your boat and plan accordingly if you’re heading farther out. Early morning temps are mild, climbing to the low 80s by midday, and you’re looking at first light around 6:35 AM, with sunset coming at about 7:58 PM. Tides are running moderate, with a morning high building towards midday, making the backcountry and channel edges prime during the outgoing.

    Now, for the bite. Grouper season opened May 1, and folks are reporting a banner start with steady catches of black and red grouper. The patch reefs and edges near Marathon and Alligator Reef have been especially productive for keeper-sized fish on live pinfish or cut baits. There’s been plenty of snapper action, too, with yellowtails and mangroves biting well early and late in the day around Cudjoe Key and the nearshore patch reefs. Lane snapper and the occasional mutton are filling coolers, especially on fresh cut squid and pilchards.

    Offshore, deep wrecks are still holding blackfin tuna and the odd kingfish, though the wind has made getting out there a bit sporty. Wrecks just off Key West and the humps off Marathon are your best bet if you can handle a choppy ride.

    Inshore, tarpon fishing remains the main event, though it’s been a grind some days. The big spring migration is running late but there are solid windows of action. Bridges like Channel 5 and the Long Key Bridge are showing pods of tarpon moving during good tide swings, especially at dawn and dusk. Live mullet or crabs under a float is the ticket when the current’s right, but don’t sleep on big swimbaits for a reaction bite. The backcountry has also held scattered tarpon, with some anglers finding better bite windows on slick calm days.

    Other notable catches include steady snook and redfish along mangrove shorelines from Big Pine to Lower Matecumbe, with pilchards and soft plastics both catching fish, and the permit bite on the flats is about to get red-hot—watch for them tailing when the wind lays down.

    Hot spots to try today:
    - The drop-offs and patch reefs around Alligator Reef for grouper and snapper.
    - Channel 5 Bridge at dawn targeting rolling tarpon on live mullet or crab.

    Lure-wise, stick with chartreuse bucktails for snapper, big paddletail swimbaits for tarpon, and shrimp-tipped jigs if you’re after mangroves or lanes.

    That’s it for today, tight lines out there and keep those drags singing. If you head out and hook up, remember: the only thing better than catching them is telling the story when you get back.
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    3 m
  • Redfish Running Hot, Tarpon Migrating in the Florida Keys

    Redfish Running Hot, Tarpon Migrating in the Florida Keys
    May 12 2025
    Hey there, anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Florida Keys fishing report for this beautiful Monday morning, May 12, 2025.

    The Keys are absolutely on fire right now! If you're looking to hit the flats, you're in for a treat as redfish are running hot inshore. Captain Ridge Murphy reported just a few days ago that the flats have been producing consistently, so grab your light tackle and get out there early.

    Offshore, mahi (dolphin) are scattered but definitely catchable if you're willing to put in the time. Look for floating debris and weed lines to improve your chances. Yellowtail snapper have been biting well in the 60-90 foot depths, so that's a solid backup plan if the dolphin aren't cooperating.

    The big news this month is tarpon! The migration is in full swing, and these silver kings are providing some spectacular action. Every May the tarpon season gets going "fast and furious" according to local guides, making this one of the busiest times for charter fishing in the Keys. They don't seem to mind the occasional windy day, and you'll find them around Key West and along the bridges.

    Florida Bay has been particularly productive lately, with snook being the primary target. These linesiders are providing consistent action for those fishing the mangrove edges and channels.

    For bait, live pilchards and pinfish are working well for inshore species. If you're targeting tarpon, try live crabs during the outgoing tide. For artificial enthusiasts like myself, soft plastic jerkbaits in pearl or chartreuse have been producing for redfish, while gold spoons are always a good bet when sight fishing.

    Hot spots worth checking out include the flats around Marathon for redfish, the bridges for tarpon (especially during tidal movements), and the reef line between 60-90 feet for yellowtail snapper action.

    The tarpon migrations are expected to strengthen in the coming weeks, so now's the time to get out there if you want a shot at one of these magnificent gamefish. Local guides are reporting that the "big strings of migrating tarpon" should be showing up "any day now" along the beaches.

    Remember, early morning and late afternoon provide the best action, especially with our warm May temperatures. With summer patterns setting in, the typical spring winds are starting to settle down, making for more pleasant fishing conditions both inshore and offshore.

    That's all for today, folks! This is Artificial Lure signing off and reminding you that a bad day of fishing is still better than a good day at work. Tight lines until next time!
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    3 m
  • "Florida Keys Fishing Update: Tarpon Challenges, Snook Bonanza, and Hot Offshore Action"

    "Florida Keys Fishing Update: Tarpon Challenges, Snook Bonanza, and Hot Offshore Action"
    May 11 2025
    Hey folks, Artificial Lure here with your May 11th Florida Keys fishing update!

    The bite is hot this morning with temps already climbing and a light southeast breeze keeping things comfortable. Sunrise was about 6:40 AM and we're looking at sunset around 7:55 PM, giving you plenty of daylight to get on the water.

    Tarpon fishing has been challenging this season compared to previous years. April was particularly tough around Islamorada with fewer fish at the Channel 2 and Channel 5 bridges. That said, the past couple weeks have seen some improvement, especially in the backcountry where anglers are reporting 6-10 bites per day if you're willing to leave the dock early[2]. Long Key Bridge still has some resident fish, though they've gotten pretty wise to most presentations.

    Florida Bay is absolutely on fire right now, with snook being the primary target. If you're looking for some rod-bending action, that's your best bet according to Captain Ridge Murphy[5]. Redfish and juvenile tarpon have also been steady in the area, with the big migratory tarpon expected any day now along the oceanside.

    Offshore, the yellowtail bite has been excellent in the 60-90 foot range[5]. If you're heading deeper (140-180 feet), expect some nice red grouper action along with cooperative mangrove snapper, which have really turned on these past couple weeks. Some yellowtail, mutton snapper, and big vermilions are mixing in out there too[1].

    For the nearshore crowd working that 60-100 foot zone, you'll find good lane snapper, a handful of mangroves, some red grouper, and steady (though not spectacular) hogfish action[1].

    Bait-wise, live shrimp and pilchards are working well inshore, while offshore anglers are doing best with cut bait and squid for the snappers. For artificial enthusiasts, try soft plastics like DOA shrimp for the backcountry fish, and butterfly jigs on the deeper reefs.

    Hot spots this week:
    - The backcountry areas behind Islamorada for tarpon if you're willing to get up early
    - Florida Bay flats for snook action (focus on mangrove edges during incoming tide)
    - The reef in 60-90 feet for consistent yellowtail action
    - Deeper structure in 140-180 feet if you're after quality red grouper

    Tides today show a high around 10:30 AM and low around 4:15 PM, making the morning run your best bet before the midday heat kicks in.

    Remember folks, keep what you need and release the rest. This is Artificial Lure signing off - tight lines until next time!
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    3 m
  • Fishing Report: Snook, Yellowtail, and Tarpon Dominate the Florida Keys - May 10, 2025

    Fishing Report: Snook, Yellowtail, and Tarpon Dominate the Florida Keys - May 10, 2025
    May 10 2025
    Yo, this is Artificial Lure here, bringin' you the latest from the Florida Keys on this fine Saturday morning, May 10th, 2025.

    Folks, lemme tell ya, the fishin' scene down here is absolutely on fire right now! The early May winds have finally started to settle down, giving us some prime conditions to hit both inshore and offshore waters.

    Florida Bay has been absolutely lit with snook action these past couple weeks. Captain Ridge Murphy reported they've been the main catch, and they're snappin' at just about anything you throw their way[1]. If you're heading out that direction today, try workin' some shallow mangrove edges during the incoming tide.

    For those lookin' to head offshore, yellowtail have been bitin' like crazy in 60-90 feet of water[1]. Bring plenty of chum and light tackle. The grouper season is also in full swing for 2025, so if you're after some tasty fillets, now's your time to shine[2].

    Down in the Lower Keys, bonefish have been giving anglers a good fight. One lady angler landed five bones on just a half-day trip recently, with several being good-sized fighters[4]. If you're into fly fishing, the flats around Big Pine Key have been producing consistently.

    Tarpon season is absolutely exploding right now! Every guide I've talked to says this May has been one of the busiest times for tarpon charters[3]. They're rolling through the bridges and channels, especially during the higher tides. Best time to target 'em is early morning or late afternoon when they're most active.

    For bait, live shrimp and pinfish are working great for inshore species. If you're targeting those yellowtails offshore, squid and small chunks of ballyhoo will do the trick. For the artificial crowd (my people!), gold spoons and white bucktail jigs have been producing snook, while DOA shrimp patterns are working well for redfish on the flats.

    Hot spots for today: Check out the bridges around Marathon for tarpon, or hit the patch reefs just off Islamorada for some mangrove and yellowtail snapper action. If you're down by Key West, the backcountry channels have been giving up some nice permit and redfish.

    Water temps are climbing into the upper 70s, and today we've got a moderate incoming tide through most of the morning. Winds are light out of the southeast at 5-10 knots, making for some smooth conditions on both sides of the Keys.

    Remember folks, stay hydrated out there – it's gettin' hot! Sunrise was around 6:40 this morning and we'll see sunset at about 7:50 tonight, giving you plenty of daylight to hook into something special.

    This is Artificial Lure signing off – tight lines, y'all!
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    3 m
  • Fishing the Florida Keys: Redfish, Tarpon, and Offshore Action in May 2025

    Fishing the Florida Keys: Redfish, Tarpon, and Offshore Action in May 2025
    May 9 2025
    Good morning from the Florida Keys, this is Artificial Lure with your Friday fishing report for May 9, 2025.

    We are starting the day with clear skies and warm temps pushing into the low 80s, with fairly mild winds out of the east making for stable boating conditions out on the water. Sunrise was around 6:39 am and you can expect sunset tonight at 7:54 pm. The tide is incoming through much of the morning, switching to outgoing in the early afternoon, which has been firing up the bite both during and just after the turn.

    Inshore, the redfish action is heating up on the flats, especially up around Key Largo and into the backcountry. Anglers working skiffs early are finding schools of reds poling shallow, with live shrimp and pilchards doing the trick, though soft plastic jerkbaits have also been hot, especially in natural colors[1].

    The tarpon bite is still going strong this week, with consistent action throughout the tides[5]. It’s a great time to chase those silver kings, especially near the bridge channels and around Islamorada in the early morning and late afternoon. Most boats are landing between 4 and 6 tarpon per trip, with the best success coming on live mullet, crabs, or big artificial swimbaits. The tarpon seem to have calmed down a bit after last week’s heavy tournament pressure and are back to their usual rolling and feeding patterns[5].

    Offshore, the mahi bite is picking up but still a bit scattered. If you run out past the reef line, keep an eye out for weedlines and floating debris where dolphin are showing up in decent numbers. Trolling with bright-skirted ballyhoo or drifting live pilchards has put plenty in the box, though the numbers are still building as we head into the heart of the season[1].

    Grouper season just opened and anglers dropping live pinfish or large cut baits along the deeper reefs and wrecks are bringing in solid black and red grouper[2][4]. Look for ledges in 60 to 120 feet for your best shot. Don’t forget, early in the season is when these grouper are most aggressive, so now’s the time to get out there.

    Hot spots to try today include the flats around Tavernier Creek for redfish and snook, the Channel 2 and Channel 5 bridges for tarpon, and the Islamorada Hump for a shot at schoolie mahi and blackfin tuna.

    Best baits right now are live mullet and crabs for tarpon, shrimp and pilchards for reds, and ballyhoo or squid offshore. For lures, toss soft plastics for inshore species and deep-diving plugs offshore.

    All signs point to a solid day on the water, so load up your tackle box and enjoy the Keys. Tight lines, and I’ll catch you on the next tide.
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    3 m
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