March 18th Florida Keys Bite Report: Reds, Bones & Grouper Stack Up on the Incoming Tide

Hey y'all, this is Artificial Lure, your go-to fishing and angling expert right here in the Florida Keys and Miami waters. It's early morning on March 18, 2026, and the action's heatin' up down south.

Tides today around Key Largo's Sunset Cove and Buttonwood Sound show high at about 5am hittin' 1.08 feet, low around 11am at 0.85 feet, another high near 5pm at 1.05 feet, and low at 11pm at 0.89 feet—perfect for flats fishin' on the incoming. Sunrise was at 7:26am, sunset 6:46pm, givin' ya 11+ hours of light. Weather's balmy at 79°F, water 75°F, winds 24mph from the east with gusts to 27, 80% humidity—bundle a light jacket but expect clearin' skies.

Fish activity's solid this winter into spring. Captain Experiences reports from Marathon, Islamorada, Tavernier, Big Pine Key, and Miami note plenty of **redfish** and **bonefish** stackin' up, plus large **goliath grouper** crashin' the party. Recent charters landed sails on the edge of the reef, inshore bites with snook and trout heatin' as waters warm, and even lobster runs like that epic night hunt streamed live two days back. Reviews from the last month rave about captains puttin' folks on fish despite some rough days—reds, bones, grouper, and more.

Best lures? Go with **jigs** or **soft plastics** like DOA shrimp for reds and bones on the flats. **Bucktail jigs** tipped with shrimp for grouper. Live **shrimp**, **pinfish**, or **cigar minnows** are killin' it for bait—rig 'em on a fish finder for bottom dwellers.

Hot spots: Hit the **flats off Islamorada** for bonefish on the tide push, or **Marathon inshore/nearshore** for reds and grouper. Miami side, troll the edge for sails.

Get out there safe, check regs, and tight lines!

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