Daily fishing report, April 10, 2026

NOAA marine forecast summary

Issued: 417 AM EDT Friday, April 10, 2026
Small Craft Advisory: in effect for all Florida Keys coastal waters

Current conditions

• Winds: Northeast to east 20-25 knots
• Seas: 6-7 feet, occasionally to 9 feet in the Straits of Florida
• Wave period: 7 seconds from northeast to east
• Weather: Slight chance of showers

Forecast outlook

• Today: NE/E winds 20-25 knots, seas 6-7 ft (occasionally 9 ft)
• Tonight: NE/E winds 20-25 knots, seas 6-7 ft (occasionally 9 ft)
• Saturday: NE/E winds 20-25 knots, seas 6-7 ft (occasionally 9 ft)
• Sunday: NE/E winds 20-25 knots, seas 6-8 ft (occasionally 10 ft)
• Monday: NE/E winds 20-25 knots, seas 7-9 ft (occasionally 11 ft)
• Tuesday: Winds decreasing to 15-20 knots, seas 5-7 ft

Note: Fresh to strong breezes hold through tonight, and there’s high confidence they won’t back off to moderate until at least Tuesday.

Reef conditions report

Molasses Reef

• Location: 10 NM southeast of Molasses Reef Light
• Conditions: Rough seas 3-5 ft in Hawk Channel
• Visibility: Reduced from wind chop
• Fishing outlook: Tough. Better to stay inshore

Conch Reef

• Conditions: Similar to Molasses, rough seas 3-5 ft
• Current: Strong northeast flow
• Fishing outlook: Limited offshore opportunity today

Davis Reef

• Conditions: Rough seas, strong currents
• Water temp: Estimated 76-78°F
• Fishing outlook: Wait for calmer water

Crocker Reef

• Conditions: Rough seas 3-5 ft
• Visibility: 15-20 ft (wind-stirred)
• Fishing outlook: Marginal at best

Alligator Reef

• Location: 15 NM southeast of Alligator Reef Light
• Conditions: Rough seas, strong northeast winds
• Fishing outlook: Not recommended today

Tennessee Reef

• Conditions: Rough seas 3-5 ft
• Current: Strong northeast flow
• Fishing outlook: Tough going

Tides and water conditions

Today’s tides (Islamorada)

• High tide: 7:42 AM (1.2 ft)
• Low tide: 1:18 PM (0.3 ft)
• High tide: 8:05 PM (1.1 ft)
• Low tide: 1:47 AM (0.4 ft)

Water temperature

• Surface: 76-78°F
• Bottom: 74-76°F
• Gulf Stream edge: 79-81°F

Species outlook

Offshore (when conditions permit)

• Dolphin (Mahi Mahi): Scattered around weed lines and current edges
• Wahoo: Along the Gulf Stream edge and temperature breaks
• Blackfin Tuna: Around floating debris and current rips
• Sailfish: Migrating north along the Stream

Reef and wreck

• Snapper: Mutton and Yellowtail holding deep on structure
• Grouper: Gag and Red Grouper on the deeper ledges
• Kingfish: Around bait schools and current rips
• Cobia: Possible around buoys and structure

Backcountry and flats

• Tarpon: Early morning in the channels and passes
• Permit: On the deeper flats and channel edges
• Bonefish: Protected lee-side flats
• Redfish: Around the mangrove shorelines

Captain’s recommendations

Today’s strategy

1. Stay inshore: With the Small Craft Advisory up, work the protected water
2. Early morning: Best window before the wind peaks
3. Target species: Tarpon in the channels, snapper in protected areas
4. Safety first: Watch conditions closely, seas building through the weekend

Gear

• Heavy tackle: 30-50 lb class for reef fishing
• Live bait: Pilchards, pinfish, crabs
• Artificials: Jigs and slow-sinking plugs for the wind

Weather pattern notes

The steady northeast to east wind is making for tough conditions across all the reef systems. It holds through the weekend with seas building to 7-9 feet by Monday. The Gulf Stream stays well offshore, 10-39 NM south of the reef lights, so it isn’t doing much to warm the nearshore water.

Drier air is working toward the Florida Keys, so a few shallow showers linger through tonight.

Midday addendum (10:34 AM EDT NOAA update)

The late-morning NOAA refresh keeps the same story in place: rough water, strong northeast to east breeze, and no real offshore relief yet.

What changed since morning

• Wind: No meaningful change offshore. Straits still running northeast to east 20 to 25 knots. Inside waters remain around 20 knots this afternoon.
• Seas: Offshore forecast is unchanged at 6 to 7 feet, occasionally 9 feet in the Straits. Hawk Channel remains 3 to 5 feet this afternoon. Gulfside waters are still 2 to 4 feet, with 4 to 6 feet west of the Marquesas.
• Conditions: Small Craft Advisory remains in effect everywhere. NOAA still expects rough nearshore waters and only a slight chance of showers, with drier air gradually filtering in.

Midday captain’s take

If you liked the cautious morning call, stick with it. The noon check did not open a surprise weather window. Inshore and protected water still make the most sense, while reef and offshore runs stay squarely in pick-your-shots territory.

Evening addendum (4:38 PM EDT NOAA update)

The late-afternoon NOAA update doubled down on the same call, and honestly it got a little meaner looking for the next couple days. The breeze is still stacked up out of the northeast to east, the Small Craft Advisory is still flying, and the ocean side is staying sporty through the weekend.

Afternoon recap

• Straits: Held at 20 to 25 knots with 5 to 7 feet, occasionally 9 feet tonight.
• Hawk Channel: Running near 20 knots with 3 to 4 feet, occasionally 5 feet.
• Bay and gulfside: Rough inside, with 2 to 4 feet on the gulfside and stronger chop west of the Marquesas.
• Weather: Only a slight chance of showers tonight as drier air keeps easing in.

Captain’s evening take

• No surprise weather break showed up this afternoon.
• Protected water stayed the smart play.
• Reef and offshore crews still needed to pick their shots carefully and keep one eye on the ride home.

Tomorrow’s outlook

Saturday looks like more of the same. NOAA is calling for:

• Northeast to east winds near 20 knots across the Keys waters
• Straits seas 5 to 7 feet, occasionally 9 feet
• Hawk Channel 3 to 4 feet, occasionally 5 feet
• Bay waters rough and gulfside waters still unsettled
• Only a slight chance of showers

So tomorrow is still a grind for offshore plans. If you’re fishing, the better move is staying tucked in, working protected zones, and waiting for the pattern to ease early next week.

Safety reminder

Small Craft Advisory in effect. Seas 5-7 feet with occasional 9-footers in the Straits tonight, and rough conditions continue Saturday. Only experienced crews with properly equipped vessels should venture offshore. Always file a float plan and monitor VHF weather channels.

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Report compiled from NOAA Marine Forecast FZUS52 KKEY issued 417 AM EDT April 10, 2026. Always verify current conditions before heading out.