Keys & Miami Fishing Report: Reds, Kings, Tuna, and More in Early May's Bite

Good morning from the Florida Keys and Miami area. Artificial Lure here with your Friday, May 9th, 2025 fishing report.

The sun rose today at 6:40 am and will set around 7:55 pm, giving us a nice long window for getting out on the water. Weather’s typical for early May: warm, humid, with a light southeast breeze, though the Keys are seeing slightly breezier conditions than Miami. Those heading offshore should expect some chop, but nothing you can’t handle if you pick your windows.

Tides are swinging through a typical May cycle, so expect a mid-morning incoming tide and an outgoing tide later in the afternoon. That means a prime bite inshore early, with things picking up offshore closer to midday as the water movement gets those pelagics fired up.

In the Keys, Capt. Ridge Murphy reports that the flats are hot with redfish, with anglers catching solid numbers on live shrimp, soft plastics, and gold spoons. Offshore in the blue water, mahi are around, but catches are scattered. Those finding weed lines are picking up a few mahi here and there—be ready to troll ballyhoo or small feathers for the best shot[1].

Up around Miami, the edge is just alive. Kingfish and blackfin tuna are pushing shallow, with anglers finding success trolling bonita strips and drifting live pilchards or threadfin. The king bite is steady, and some boats are scoring multiple fish in the 15–30 pound range each trip—don’t be surprised if you hook up with a smoker[2][5]. Blackfin tuna are hitting best at dawn and dusk, so plan your trip around those low-light periods.

Bottom fishing is really heating up with grouper season now open and plenty of mutton snapper chewing on live bait. Dropping live pinfish or ballyhoo around the reefs and wrecks is your ticket to a big mutton or even a handful of amberjack. The reefs are also starting to show more yellowtail and mangrove snapper, so keep cut bait handy for a mixed bag[2].

If you’re looking for hot spots, check out the flats off Islamorada for redfish action and hit the Hump offshore if you’re hunting mahi. Around Miami, the reefs off Haulover and the troughs outside Government Cut are producing a steady stream of kingfish, blackfin, and the odd sailfish. For bottom fishing, hit the wrecks in 120–200 feet.

Best baits this week are live pilchards, threadfin, and pinfish. For artificials, don’t leave home without a couple of silver spoons, trolling feathers, and soft plastic jerkbaits. Early morning is your best window, especially with that first incoming tide.

That’s your Friday report from the Florida Keys up through Miami. Tight lines and may your next cast be the big one!