LATITUDES AND ATTITUDES: OCTOBER FISHING ON THE GULF
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October on the Gulf is my kind of calm — the heat breaks, the crowds thin, and the tides roll a little slower, like a long drawl at sunset. Down here in Orange Beach, Alabama, we call it the “shoulder season,” but for anglers, it’s the prime bite. The mornings are cool enough for a flannel, the afternoons warm enough for bare feet on deck, and the fish — well, they’re just about perfect.
The Rhythm of Fall on the Gulf
By the time the last of the summer visitors have packed their umbrellas, the Intracoastal Waterway, Terry Cove, and Bayou St. John take on a different kind of energy. The shrimp boats hum before dawn, gulls chatter over bait slicks, and every captain at Zeke’s Landing Marina or Orange Beach Marina knows: this is when the Gulf gives back.
The water is still warm enough for a good topwater bite, yet cool enough to draw in trout and redfish from deeper summer haunts. It’s a transition — a changing of tides, light, and rhythm — and it’s why I love fishing this time of year more than any other.
The October Lineup: What’s Biting and Where
Redfish (Red Drum)
It’s called Red October for a reason. The passes and inlets light up with bull reds in October, especially around Perdido Pass, Bird Island, and the jetties near Florida Point. I’ve had mornings there where the water boils orange with tails and the drag never stops singing.
Use live mullet or shrimp under a popping cork, or a gold spoon when the water’s clear. I like fishing the incoming tide, when bait floods back into the bays. The downside? You’ll need a strong arm — the bulls this time of year don’t play gentle.
Speckled Trout
When that first cold front rolls through, trout get lively around Cotton Bayou, Bayou St. John, and the marsh edges north of Bear Point. Drift over 3–6 feet of water, work soft plastics or live shrimp along drop-offs, and don’t overlook bridge lights at night. There’s something about the glow under the Highway 161 Bridge that makes trout rise like ghosts.
Flounder
They’re headed out toward the Gulf now — ambushing bait along sandy edges near Robinson Island and Perdido Pass. A slow bounce with a bull minnow or Gulp shrimp across the bottom can pay off. Just remember, they’ll take their time before striking — patience is key.
Spanish and King Mackerel
When the tide’s right and the birds start diving offshore, troll small spoons or cigar minnows around the buoys past Tacky Jack’s and out toward the Sand Island Lighthouse. Kings can run thick in October — sleek, strong, and built for speed. The advantage? Cooler water means firm meat and clean fights. The disadvantage? Those sharp teeth. Keep your wire leaders handy.
Snapper and Grouper
Offshore reefs still hold plenty of vermilion and mangrove snapper this time of year, especially around the Poseidon Reef, Whiskey Wreck, and artificial structures off Perdido Key. The Gulf settles after summer storms, and the deeper water around 60–100 feet becomes clear, calm, and fishable again. A bit of squid or cut bait is all it takes to bring dinner home.
Best Times and Tides
In October, I watch the tides like old friends — rising mid-morning, falling hard by dusk. The best fishing tends to come an hour before and after high tide, when bait pushes into structure.
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Morning: Calm winds and cooler water wake up trout and redfish.
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Late afternoon: A sea breeze often picks up, stirring the bait and triggering another bite.
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Avoid dead tide: When the water stalls, the fish often do too. That’s when I drop anchor, pour coffee, and wait it out.
Depths matter — 3–6 feet for trout, 6–15 for redfish, 30+ for nearshore mackerel, and 60–100 for snapper.
Local Waypoints Worth a Cast
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Perdido Pass Jetties: Incoming tide, topwater plugs for redfish and trout.
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Robinson Island Flats: Flounder and trout early morning, especially around grass edges.
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Bayou St. John Mouth: Redfish staging before cold fronts.
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Bear Point Reef: Snapper, sheepshead, and an occasional cobia.
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The Wharf Canal: Good for evening trout under lights — stop at The Blind Tiger after for a cold one.
And if you need bait, locals know:
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J&M Tackle for rigs and reels,
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Sam’s Stop and Shop for shrimp and cigar minnows,
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Hooked Up Bait & Tackle for quick ice and advice.
Advantages of October Fishing
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Less Boat Traffic: Easier access to passes and reefs.
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Hungry Fish: Cooler water means more feeding activity.
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Comfortable Temps: You’ll fish longer without fighting the heat.
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Calm Gulf Days: Perfect for 22–26-foot center consoles or bay boats.
The only disadvantage? It ends too soon. By November, those fronts can stack waves high and push fish deeper.
Where Lifestyle Meets Latitude
When I’m not fishing, I’m helping others find homes that let them live this rhythm every day. Ono Island and Orange Beach are among the Gulf’s most sought-after boating and fishing communities — where deep-water docks, private lifts, and easy access to Bayou St. John and Perdido Pass turn every sunrise into possibility.
Some homes have slips large enough for a 40-footer; others sit just off quiet canals perfect for bay boats and skiffs. You can fish your backyard, boat to dinner, or cruise to the reef — all from your front porch.
If your compass points south toward salt air, sunsets, and the soft whine of a spinning reel, let’s find your place here. Because on this stretch of the Gulf, latitude meets attitude — and there’s no better way to live than anchored in both.
#searchthegulf #meredithfolger #becausewelivehere
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