What is a flag yellowtail?

A big one, over about 3 lb, with a long, streaming yellow tail. They feed mostly at night on the reef edge.

Can I catch yellowtail from shore?

Occasionally from the Channel Two and Long Key fishing bridges on a chum slick, but the reliable fishing is from a boat on the reef.

Yellowtail snapper fishing in Islamorada: season, spots, bait & rules

Yellowtail snapper fishing in Islamorada

Also called flag (a big one).

Yellowtail snapper are the everyday fish of the Islamorada reef: beautiful, fun on light tackle and among the best eating in the Keys. Anchored on the reef with a chum slick running, a boat can catch them all day, and a big "flag" yellowtail at night is a real prize.

Harvest allowedSkill: BeginnerCharter a boatBring your own boat

Where to find yellowtail snapper

The outer reef in 40–100 ft and the deeper patch reefs, anchored up-current of the structure so the chum drifts over it. The Long Key bridge spans and the deeper patch reefs hold them too.

Reef line off Islamorada · Reef
Hawk Channel patch reefs · Patch reefs
Channel Two fishing bridge · Piers & catwalks
Channel Five fishing bridge · Piers & catwalks
Long Key Viaduct fishing bridge · Piers & catwalks
Crocker Wall · Reef
Pickles Reef · Reef

When to go

Spring and summer are peak, with fish year-round. A steady current carries the chum and lines up the fish; first and last light and the incoming tide are best, and the biggest yellowtail feed after dark.

Best window on the day: The incoming tide on the oceanside at first or last light. Today's window and score are on the conditions page.

April: The spawning-season bite turns on along the reef.
June: Peak: flags (big yellowtail) in the chum at night.

How to catch them

Anchor up-current of the reef, hang a chum bag and start a slick of sand, oats and chum. Free-line small pieces of pilchard, shrimp or squid on a tiny hook with no weight so the bait drifts at the speed of the chum; feed line constantly. When the fish are up in the slick you will see them flashing behind the boat.

Bait & tackle

Bait: Silversides, cut ballyhoo or live pilchards drifted back in a steady chum slick
Lures: Light 1/8–1/4 oz yellowtail jigs tipped with bait, drifted in the slick
Tackle: 7 ft light spinning rod, 2500–3000 reel, 10–15 lb line
Rig: 8–15 ft of 12–20 lb fluorocarbon; #1–1/0 non-stainless circle hook; little or no weight so the bait sinks with the chum

pilchard shrimp squid bonito chunk Tackle setup →

Tips for your level

Keep feeding line off the reel so the bait drifts naturally; a bait that stops drifting gets ignored.
The smallest hook you can get away with, and light fluorocarbon, get the most bites.
Yellowtail are measured to the tip of the tail (total length); the rule card has the minimum.

Keeping one

Excellent: sweet, delicate white fillets, the Keys fish-sandwich fish.

Keep only what you will eat, within the limit, and release the rest in the water where you can.

Questions anglers ask

What is a flag yellowtail?: A big one, over about 3 lb, with a long, streaming yellow tail. They feed mostly at night on the reef edge.
Can I catch yellowtail from shore?: Occasionally from the Channel Two and Long Key fishing bridges on a chum slick, but the reliable fishing is from a boat on the reef.