Good morning anglers, Artificial Lure here with your Saturday, September 27th fishing report for beautiful Islamorada, Florida.
The day’s off to a warm, humid start with the sun rising at 7:13 AM and setting right at 7:13 PM, giving us just about twelve hours on the water to make something happen. We’ve got a weak tidal swing today—low tide hit around 6:30 AM and we’ll see the high moving in at 12:59 PM, before dropping back off to another low close to sunset at 6:56 PM, according to Alligator Reef Hawk Channel tide tables. Tidal coefficients are down to 49, which means less current, so expect the bite to slow a bit between changes but pick up as that midday tide turns. Don't forget, light winds and moderate cloud cover are expected, no big front in sight, but keep an eye on any pop-up storms, especially in the backcountry.
Fishing action’s been classic late September—transition time. We've still got good numbers of snapper around the reefs and patches. Mangroves and yellowtails are holding just off Conch Wall and the famous Alligator Reef Tower—bring some shrimp or pilchards if you can score ‘em, or use artificials like white bucktail jigs tipped with a sliver of cut bait for results. Early risers working the patch reefs near Davis Reef have also been pulling in nice lane snapper on sardines.
Offshore, mahi-mahi (dolphin fish) are a little spotty now with the summer run winding down, but persistence pays—reports say fish are scattered anywhere from 10 to 18 miles out, mostly schoolies but a few gaffers mixed in. Trolling small feather jigs and rigged ballyhoo remains productive, especially around weed lines and floating debris past Tennessee Reef. Wahoo have turned up around the humps, so don’t forget to run a planer and dark trolling plug early in the morning.
For you tarpon junkies, the bridges—especially Channel Two and the famous Long Key—are still producing, though the numbers have thinned compared to last month. Early morning or dusk is best. Big live mullet is the gold standard, but grunts and ladyfish chunks work too. Rapala X-Raps in silver/black are killer artificials under the lights. The outgoing tide right after sunset brings the action up a notch.
Flats and backcountry bite is decent, with bonefish showing on the oceanside flats from the Snake Creek Bridge down to Lower Matecumbe. Small live crabs and shrimp, or Gulp! scented soft plastics on a light jighead, are the ticket here. Redfish and snook are also being caught on higher stages of incoming tide around the mangrove edges and channel mouths off Indian Key Fill.
Hot spots for today:
- Patch reefs off Alligator Light—the yellowtail bite’s solid and it’s as close to a sure thing as you’ll find.
- Channel Two Bridge—for tarpon, snook, and even a few slot reds on pilchards or live pinfish.
- Oceanside flats near Lower Matecumbe at sunup for bones and the odd permit.
Robbie’s Marina is buzzing as usual if you want a shot at hand-feeding those monster tarpon—or just grab a cold drink and watch the circus.
Best baits today: live or fresh dead pilchards, shrimp, and ballyhoo for reef and offshore. If you’re tossing lures, go with white bucktails, chartreuse paddle tails, or shallow-diving plugs around structure and bridges.
That’s the word from the docks and bait shops around town—hope you get tight and stay tight out there! Thanks for tuning in, and don’t forget to subscribe for your daily Islamorada fishing scoop.
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