We kicked off the day with sunrise at 6:34 AM, and you’ll have daylight until sunset at 8:08 PM, so there’s plenty of time to hit the water and chase that next bite. Tidal movement is moderate—today’s high tide is due in the late morning, with the coefficient peaking at 69, then gradually easing off by sundown according to Tides4Fishing. That means fish are more likely to push onto the flats in the morning and into the channels as the day heats up.
The weather’s cooperating: expect hot, muggy air with a light southerly breeze, typical for early June in the Keys. It’s been a bit windier earlier this week, but finding a protected shoreline or sneaking into the backcountry will get you out of the chop and right on top of the action.
Fishing’s hot all around Islamorada right now. Offshore, boats are seeing solid mahi action with schools popping up under weedlines and floating debris. The Gulf is on fire with Spanish mackerel, kingfish, cobia, big jacks, and some hefty sharks. The backcountry and Everglades are loaded with speckled trout, snook, redfish, snapper, and even roaming tarpon. Captain Experiences reports recent catches of cobia, jack crevalle, a bunch of trout, and even a 150-pound shark—plus several tarpon hooked and released.
Tarpon fishing truly shines this time of year. According to Captain Brett Greco, summer tarpon spread throughout the flats and channels, creating epic stalking opportunities—perfect for early risers. If you’re targeting silver kings, focus on the early morning bite along the bridges or in the deeper passes. Natural baits like live mullet and crabs are tough to beat, but for lure anglers, big, slow-sinking swimbaits, paddle tails, or DOA Baitbusters draw strikes.
Nearshore, yellowtail snapper and mangrove snapper are bending rods at the reefs. Cut baits and shrimp on a light jig head get the job done, especially around the shallow reef edges and patch reefs. If you’re itching for some fast action, try tossing chartreuse bucktail jigs or soft plastics around the bait schools for loads of jacks and the occasional mackerel.
Top hotspots today:
- Channel 2 and Channel 5 bridges—classic tarpon grounds at first light.
- Flats around Snake Creek and Tavernier—for backcountry snook, redfish, and trout, especially on a rising tide.
- The reef edge off Alligator Reef for consistent snapper action.
Remember to bring plenty of water and sunscreen—it’s a scorcher out there.
Thanks for tuning in to your daily Islamorada fishing report. Subscribe for more daily updates and tips to keep your lines tight. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.
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