As of October 6, 2024, the fishing scene in Islamorada, Florida, is looking promising. Here’s what you need to know for a successful day on the water.

### Conditions
- **Weather:** Expect partly cloudy skies with a high of around 84°F and a low of 75°F. There will be moderate northeasterly winds, which is typical for this time of year and helps stir up the baitfish.
- **Tides:** The morning tide is high at 7:15 AM, followed by a low tide at 1:15 PM, and then another high tide at 7:30 PM. These tidal changes will keep the fish active.
- **Sunrise and Sunset:** Sunrise is at 7:23 AM, and sunset is at 7:03 PM, giving you ample daylight to fish.

### Fish Activity
The Fall Bait Migration is in full swing, bringing massive groups of baitfish into the area. This attracts a variety of predators, making for excellent fishing. Here are some of the key species you can expect to catch:
- **Tarpon:** Late-season tarpon are still present, particularly in the backcountry. You might catch some smaller tarpon, but larger ones can also be found in certain areas.
- **Snook and Redfish:** Fishing for snook and redfish has been stellar, with larger snook in the 12-18 lb range and redfish mixed in. Black drum, often seen later in the season, are already showing up in some areas.
- **Bonefish:** Higher-than-normal tides are allowing bonefish to reach different parts of the flats and bay, making them more accessible.
- **Snappers and Groupers:** Mutton snappers, mangrove snappers, and juvenile goliath groupers are also active in the protected areas and reefs.

### Best Lures and Bait
- **Bait:** Live bait such as sardines and cigar minnows are plentiful and highly effective. For tarpon, using live bait like ballyhoo can be very successful.
- **Lures:** For snook and redfish, soft plastics and jigs work well. On the flats, fly fishing with small crab or shrimp patterns can be effective for bonefish.

### Hot Spots
- **Backcountry of Everglades National Park:** This area is teeming with life, including snook, redfish, and tarpon. The mangrove channels and inlets provide perfect habitat for these species.
- **Flamingo and Mainland Shorelines:** The creeks, canals, and shorelines around Flamingo and the mainland of south Florida are great spots for catching smaller snook, redfish, and juvenile tarpon.

Overall, October is a great time to fish in Islamorada, with fewer boats on the water and plenty of fish to target. Enjoy your day out