Keys flats warm up with fall snook and redfish window

What's biting

What's next

Tides are the main planning tool this week. Station 8723970 shows a high around 6:00 UTC, which is 2:00 AM local, and a low near 12:11 UTC, or 8:11 AM local. Station 8724580 lists a low at 09:18 UTC (5:18 AM local) and a high at 16:02 UTC (12:02 PM local). Times differ between the two stations, so check the one closest to your spot before you launch.

With a New Moon, tidal swings tend to run stronger than average, and moving water around the new moon often concentrates bait on points, channel edges and flat drop-offs. Plan the first light through mid-morning window around the outgoing tide, when redfish and snook typically ambush bait pushed off the flats. Live bait is the safe pick, in line with the snook report from Coastal Angler Magazine.

If the water temperature starts easing off the high 80s with the next few cool fronts, expect fish to spread out onto the flats for more of the day. Until then, favor early and late sessions and fish deeper, shaded edges through midday.

Context

Mid-October in the Keys is a transition period. Summer heat lingers on the water while the first hints of fall arrive, and baitfish begin to move as the season shifts. Water in the high 80s is on the warm side of typical for this time of year, so the full fall flats pattern usually builds later, as water temperatures slide into the 70s and 80s. ALL IN Key West's note about cooler temperatures and hotter fishing fits that shift. Anglers should check state regulations before harvesting snook or redfish, since seasons and slot limits change.