As of October 18, 2024, the fishing scene in Islamorada, Florida, is looking quite promising. Here’s what you can expect today:

### Weather and Tides
The weather has cooled down slightly, making for comfortable fishing conditions. Expect calm seas, which is ideal for both inshore and offshore fishing. The sunrise today is at around 7:30 AM, and sunset will be at about 6:45 PM. Tides are moderate, with a high tide at 9:30 AM and a low tide at 3:30 PM, providing good opportunities for both morning and afternoon fishing.

### Fish Activity
Yesterday saw a lot of activity across various species. The Snook bite has been strong, particularly in the backcountry inlets and mangrove channels of Everglades National Park. Small Tarpon are also biting well on artificial baits, and the flats are teeming with Tarpon, Bonefish, and Permit.

Offshore, the action has been excellent on the reefs and wrecks. Yellowtail Snapper have been plentiful, and several flags were caught along the reef lines. Deep-sea fishing has yielded catches of Dolphin (Mahi-Mahi), Blackfin Tuna, Amberjack, and Wahoo. Sailfish are also active, especially when using live bait on light tackle.

### Best Lures and Bait
For inshore fishing, live bait such as shrimp and mullet are working well for Snook and Redfish. Artificial lures like jigs and spoons are effective for Tarpon and Bonefish. Offshore, trolling rigged baits and lures is successful for Dolphin and other pelagic species. Live baitfish like ballyhoo are ideal for Sailfish and other larger predators.

### Hot Spots
One of the hot spots right now is the backcountry of Everglades National Park, where you can target Snook, Redfish, and Tarpon. For offshore fishing, the reefs and wrecks just off Islamorada are producing good catches of Yellowtail Snapper and other deep-water species. The edge of the reef, about 30 miles offshore, is also a prime location for catching Dolphin and Sailfish.

Overall, it's a great time to be out on the water in Islamorada, with plenty of fish to go around and favorable weather conditions. Enjoy your day on the water