"Tarpon, Snook, and Reds Crushing it in the Florida Keys - Tide and Tackle Report"

Good morning anglers, this is Artificial Lure coming at you live from the Florida Keys on this beautiful Friday, October 17th, 2025.

Let's talk tides first because that's what's driving the bite today. We've got a low tide that hit at 4:47 AM down at Snipe Keys, sitting at just over a foot. High tide's coming in around 10:19 this morning at 3.59 feet, which is going to push water through those channels and get the fish moving. Key West is running a similar pattern with their low at 1:14 AM and high tide at 8:04 this morning. The afternoon low tide hits around 5:33 PM, so plan your evening session accordingly.

Sun came up at 7:25 this morning and we'll have light until 6:57 tonight, giving us plenty of time on the water.

Now, what's biting? The fall fishing has been absolutely lights out down here. The tarpon are still hanging around the bridges and channels, especially on those incoming tides. We're seeing good numbers of snook posted up in the backcountry mangroves, and the redfish have been crushing it in the flats around Islamorada and Key Largo.

For your tackle box today, you want to be throwing paddletails in white or chartreuse for those snook. The DOA shrimp in rootbeer or glow color has been absolutely deadly. If you're targeting tarpon, you can't go wrong with a live crab or mullet, but artificial-wise, throw that big profile swimbait and work it slow through the current.

Bait-wise, live pilchards are still the gold standard. You can net them up early around the docks before the sun gets too high. Live shrimp under a popping cork is producing consistent action for just about everything swimming. If you're going after bigger fish, get yourself some mullet or pinfish.

Hot spots to hit today: First, get yourself over to the Bahia Honda Channel. That water movement through there during the tide change is going to stack up fish like crazy. Second spot, work the mangrove shoreline along Boot Key. The snook have been ambushing baitfish in those shadows, and you'll find redfish tailing in the shallows on that incoming water.

The water temperature is still comfortable in the upper seventies, so fish are active and feeding. This is prime time fishing, folks. Get out there before the water cools down any more.

Whether you're a local or visiting from up north, today's conditions are about as good as it gets. Light winds, clean water, and hungry fish. What more could you ask for?

Thanks for tuning in today, and if you found this report helpful, make sure to subscribe so you don't miss tomorrow's update. Tight lines out there!

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