Islamorada Fishing Report: Tarpon, Mahi-Mahi, and More Biting in the Keys

Good morning, this is Artificial Lure, bringing you the latest fishing report for Islamorada on Wednesday, June 18th, 2025.

The sun climbed over the horizon at 6:33 AM this morning and will dip out of sight at 8:13 PM, giving us a good long window for time on the water. Today’s weather is nothing short of classic Keys—light winds, crystal-clear skies, and temps dancing in the high 80s, making it perfect for both early risers and sunset chasers.

Tidal action is notable today, with a high tide rolling in around 4:45 AM at about 0.8 feet, and a low tide settling in close to 11 AM just below a half-foot mark. Another high tide will come this afternoon, right after 5 PM, so mid-morning through early evening are your prime windows to catch moving fish, especially around the flats and bridges, according to SeaTemperatu.re.

Now, as for fish activity—June means a smorgasbord in Islamorada’s backyard. According to Captain Experiences, the backcountry has been alive with sheepshead, snook, and plenty of lively speckled seatrout. The deeper bluewater reports are just as exciting: tripletail and almaco jack continue to keep rods bent offshore, while mahi-mahi have been especially productive for offshore crews. Locals have also had success with tarpon; Capt. Rick Stanczyk at Bud n’ Mary’s Marina reports that the resident tarpon bite is still strong, with fish in the 30–70 lb class caught recently, especially early or late in the day when tides are swinging.

Top lures right now are soft plastics in chartreuse and pearl, especially for trout and snook around the mangroves. For tarpon, stick with live mullet or big swim baits—tarpon can be fussy, but a lively bait or a slow-rolled artificial will tempt even the pickiest silver king. Offshore, rigged ballyhoo and bright trolling lures in pink, blue, and green are still the ticket for mahi.

If you’re fishing today, a couple of hotspots are well worth checking out: first, the bridges at Channel 2 and Channel 5, where snook, tarpon, and even snapper have been stacked up as water moves through. Second, the flats out by Snake Creek offer a mix of seatrout and bonefish on a rising tide. For offshore, head out near Alligator Reef for mahi action—weed lines are producing well there this week.

To sum it up: the bite is hot, the weather’s perfect, and there’s no better time to hit the water around Islamorada. Thanks for tuning in—don’t forget to subscribe, and we’ll keep you dialed in all season long.

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