Fishing Frenzy in the Florida Keys and Miami: Kingfish, Tarpon, and More on the Bite

Artificial Lure here, bringing you your local fishing report for the Florida Keys and Miami area this fine Sunday, May 11th, 2025.

We’re stepping into prime time fishing with early summer weather settling in—warm temps, lighter winds, and calmer seas making it comfortable to head offshore or work the inshore flats. Sunrise hit at 6:35 am and sunset will be about 7:57 pm, giving you plenty of daylight to get on the bite.

Offshore around Miami, kingfish and blackfin tuna have been bending rods consistently. Anglers are hauling in a couple of kingfish per trip, with some big boys tipping the scales at over 30 pounds this week. Blackfin are solid, and a few mahi mahi are starting to show up, particularly during the early morning and late evening. Don’t forget those wire leaders—there’s the occasional wahoo making a run and they’ll chew through mono in a flash. For pelagics, top lure choices are blue/white feathers, small trolling plugs, and live pilchards or goggle eyes if you can find them. Kite fishing remains a killer technique for sailfish, which are still around if you want to try your luck[1].

Bottom fishing is really heating up now that grouper season opened May 1. The reefs and wrecks are producing nice grouper, amberjack, and a few mutton snapper—action should only get better as we move through May. If you’re working the bottom, go with live pinfish or ballyhoo, and bring some squid for the snapper. Drop down a chicken rig with cut bait over the wrecks or structure for your best shot[1][4].

Down in the Keys, the tarpon bite is going off, especially at the bridges and channels at dawn and dusk. Expect anglers to hook into several tarpon each trip, and juvenile tarpon are still steady in the backcountry. Permit are moving well on the flats, and backcountry action remains strong with snook and redfish making steady appearances[2][5]. Live crabs or pinfish are the ticket for tarpon, while small live shrimp and soft plastic lures work well for permit.

The tides are running high with the full moon just passed, so expect strong currents around the bridges and reef edges—perfect for predator action. Hot spots to try this week: head offshore from Government Cut for kingfish and blackfin, or fish the legendary Seven Mile Bridge or Bahia Honda for tarpon. The reefs off Key Largo are a good bet for grouper and snapper.

In summary, the fish are biting, the weather’s right, and the water’s inviting. Grab those live baits or your favorite lures and get after it. The Florida Keys and Miami are wide open for action right now. Tight lines and see you on the water!