As of October 17, 2024, the fishing scene in Islamorada, Florida, is looking promising. Here’s what you can expect today:

The weather has been a bit rough lately, but it's starting to settle down. Today, you can expect partly cloudy skies with a high of around 84°F and a gentle breeze from the northeast.

Tides are moderate, with the first high tide at 10:30 AM and the next high tide at 10:20 PM. The first low tide was at 5:10 AM, and the next low tide will be at 5:24 PM. The tidal coefficient is high, indicating big tides and evident currents, which can be beneficial for fishing.

Sunrise today is at 7:21 AM, and sunset will be at 6:54 PM, giving you ample daylight to get out on the water.

The Fall Bait Migration is in full swing, bringing massive groups of baitfish into the area. This has attracted a variety of predators, making for some excellent fishing. Yesterday saw a good mix of fish, including blackfin tuna, king mackerel, and a variety of snappers such as mangrove, mutton, and yellowtail. There were also reports of tarpon and cobia.

For the snappers, using live bait such as sardines and cigar minnows has been highly effective. These baits are plentiful and attract the larger fish. For the blackfin tuna and king mackerel, trolling with spoons or using live bait like ballyhoo can yield great results. For tarpon, live mullet or large jigs are often the go-to choices.

The reefs have been producing well, especially for snappers. Anchoring up on the reefs and using live bait has been successful. The backcountry, particularly around the islands and in the creeks and canals of Flamingo and the mainland of south Florida, has been good for tarpon, snook, and redfish. These areas are particularly active during the Fall Bait Migration.

Overall, October is a great time to fish in Islamorada, with fewer boats on the water and a wide range of fish species available. So, grab your gear and head out to the reefs or the backcountry for a day filled with action and diverse catches.