Keys & Miami Fishing Report: Muttons, Mackerel, & Sailfish on the Bite

It’s your local source for line-tugging action, I’m Artificial Lure with your Florida Keys and Miami fishing report for Sunday, October 19, 2025.

First, let’s talk *conditions*. We’re coming off an overnight low tide at 2:55 AM and looking toward a high tide just after 9:40 AM for the Keys, with another low at mid-afternoon around 3:03 PM. Miami’s tides line up with a 1:19 AM low, peaking at 7:38 AM, then receding again after lunch. Sunrise clocked in at 7:27 for the Keys, 7:21 around Miami, and you can expect golden hour to fade by 6:56 and 6:48 PM respectively.

Weatherwise, it’s a *gentle southeast breeze* around 10–15 knots—seas running about 2–4 feet, a moderate chop enough to keep anybody paying attention but still workable for most. There’s a moderate risk of showers off and on; keep your slickers handy.

Now, let’s get into the *bite*. The Keys have been producing mutton snapper and Spanish mackerel on the patch reefs and edge of the channels. Fall sailfish action is heating up offshore—they’re moving into the current edges, tailing on bluewater mornings. Reef anglers have been bringing in yellowtail snapper and some healthy grouper. Miami, over at Haulover and Government Cut, saw mixed bags this week—snook are active inshore if you catch the first light, while in the bays trout and mangrove snapper are biting.

In terms of recent *catches*, locals targeting mutton have averaged half a dozen good keepers per boat running the outside reef. Offshore, charter captains are reporting 2–4 sailfish per run with some mahi (dolphin) in the mix if you push past the drop-off. On the bridges and canal mouths around Key Largo and Islamorada, you’ll find tarpon rolling early and late, with jacks and ladyfish filling out the numbers. Miami’s Biscayne Bay delivered solid numbers of slot snook, schoolie reds, and snapper for kayak and skiff anglers.

For *lure and bait selection*: artificial spoons and bucktail jigs draw strikes from mackerel and snapper alike in the Keys. Pilchard and pinfish are top live bait for snapper, while pilchard pods work wonders for sailfish and blackfin tuna just outside the reef. In Miami, plug anglers pitching topwater walkers at daybreak are finding snook and juvenile tarpon. For bottom action, shrimp on light jigheads is ever dependable, and cut bait like mullet strips will get the nod from mangrove snapper and occasional sheepshead.

*Hot spots you shouldn’t miss*: In the Keys, Alligator Reef near Islamorada and the Seven Mile Bridge approaches; both are lighting up for snapper early and sailfish as the sun gets up. On the Miami side, Haulover Jetty and the Card Sound mangrove cuts are fishing better than average—Haulover’s outgoing tide is drawing snook and jacks, Card Sound gets you snapper and an occasional tarpon before sundown.

Whether you’re chasing the schoolies on the flats or sight-casting to busting mackerel offshore, this week’s showing is all about timing your tides and working with changing weather. Keep an eye on frontal changes—Monday brings some drier air and lighter winds, so midweek is shaping up to be prime for both inshore and offshore efforts.

Thanks for tuning in to the Artificial Lure fishing report—make sure to subscribe and tell your friends. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease dot ai.

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This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI