As of October 11, 2024, the fishing scene in Islamorada, Florida, is looking promising. Here’s a rundown of what you can expect:

### Conditions
- **Weather:** The weather has been a bit rough lately, but it's starting to settle down. Expect partly cloudy skies with temperatures in the mid-80s.
- **Tides:** The tides are moderate, with a high tide around 9:30 AM and a low tide around 3:30 PM. These conditions are favorable for backcountry and reef fishing.
- **Sunrise and Sunset:** Sunrise is at 7:24 AM, and sunset is at 6:53 PM, providing a good window for both morning and evening fishing trips.

### Fish Activity
Yesterday saw a variety of fish activity. In the backcountry, tarpon are still active, especially in the late season. You can expect to catch some small tarpon, along with other species like snook, redfish, and speckled trout.

On the reefs, there was a good catch of snappers, including mutton snappers, mangrove snappers, and yellowtail snappers. Blackfin tuna and king mackerel were also plentiful.

### Best Lures and Bait
For tarpon, live bait such as mullet or pinfish works well. In the backcountry, using jigs or soft plastics can be effective for species like snook and redfish.

On the reefs, rigged baits and lures are ideal for targeting dolphin (mahi-mahi) and blackfin tuna. Sardines and cigar minnows have been plentiful and effective as bait.

### Hot Spots
- **Backcountry Inlets and Mangroves:** The endless maze of backcountry inlets and mangrove channels within Everglades National Park is a hot spot for tarpon, snook, redfish, and speckled trout.
- **Reefs:** The reefs off Islamorada are teeming with life, particularly around the humps where dolphin and blackfin tuna have been active. The edge of the reef is also a good spot for sailfish and other deepwater species.

Overall, it's a great time to be out on the water in Islamorada, with a variety of fish species available and favorable conditions. Just keep an eye on the weather and adjust your plans accordingly.