Gulf Shores inshore/surf
Gulf Shores Fishing Report – October 18, 2026
NOEoutdoors Fishing Report Surf, Pier, Inshore & Offshore Fishing
Fall fishing is starting to pick up around Gulf Shores, Alabama, and even with Hurricane Isaias coming through the Gulf Coast on October 9, anglers are still finding some good fish.
The good news is Gulf Shores came through the hurricane in pretty good shape compared to some areas farther east. There was some debris and cleanup following the storm, but officials reported minimal major damage, and most of the area is getting back to normal.
Fishing has been improving as water temperatures begin to cool. Redfish, speckled trout, pompano, whiting, and black drum are all worth targeting right now.
The biggest issue this weekend has been the weather. Strong north and northeast winds have made conditions rough, especially along the beaches and offshore. Once those winds settle down, anglers should have some good opportunities to get back on the fish.
Surf Fishing – Gulf Shores Beaches
Surf fishing is getting into its fall pattern along Gulf Shores, with pompano, whiting, redfish, and black drum being some of the main fish to target.
Recent local reports have shown whiting and black drum providing some good fishing, including a strong whiting bite reported October 15.
Pompano are another fish to look for as the water cools. Fresh shrimp, sand fleas, and Fishbites on pompano rigs are good choices.
Look for deeper troughs, cuts in the sandbars, and areas where water is moving between the beach and the first sandbar.
Don’t overlook the water right in front of you. Whiting and pompano will often feed in the first trough, and sometimes the better fish are closer to shore than people expect.
Redfish are also worth targeting during October. Larger bull reds can move along the beaches following schools of mullet and other baitfish.
Fresh cut mullet, blue crab, and shrimp are all good options for redfish and black drum.
With the recent hurricane, some of the sandbars and troughs may have changed. If you’re fishing a spot you’ve been to before, take a few minutes to look at the beach and find where the water is moving.
Keep in mind that rough surf and dangerous rip currents have been an issue this weekend, so check conditions before heading out.
Pier Fishing – Gulf State Park Fishing Pier
October can be a good month to fish the Gulf State Park Pier, especially when baitfish are moving along the beach.
Spanish mackerel, redfish, whiting, speckled trout, and mangrove snapper have all been part of the recent fishing around the pier.
The fall mackerel bite has been a little slower getting started this year. Water temperatures have remained warmer than normal for this time of year, and baitfish haven’t been as plentiful around the pier as anglers would like.
That doesn’t mean there aren’t fish to catch.
Spanish mackerel are still worth targeting with Gotcha plugs, small diamond jigs, and silver spoons. When baitfish start moving through, the bite can turn on pretty quickly.
Redfish and whiting can be caught closer to the bottom using live shrimp, fresh dead shrimp, and cut bait.
Speckled trout and mangrove snapper are also worth targeting around the pier structure.
King mackerel are another possibility as we get farther into October, especially if cleaner water and larger schools of bait move back into the area.
Gulf State Park was temporarily closed ahead of Hurricane Isaias, and the park has been working through its post-storm reopening. Anglers should confirm current fishing pier access before making the trip.
Inshore Fishing – Little Lagoon & Bon Secour Bay
Inshore fishing is another good option around Gulf Shores, especially for redfish and speckled trout.
The cooler weather is starting to get fish moving into their fall patterns, and anglers should continue seeing more feeding activity as water temperatures drop.
Little Lagoon is worth checking for redfish and trout around grass edges, deeper channels, docks, and areas where baitfish are moving.
Live shrimp under a popping cork is a good option, especially when fishing around grass and shallow structure.
Paddle tails, suspending twitchbaits, and topwater plugs can also produce some good fish.
For redfish, look around shoreline structure, grass edges, and areas with moving water. Small live pinfish, shrimp, and cut mullet are all good bait choices.
Bon Secour Bay is another area worth fishing during October. Redfish can be found around marsh edges, creek mouths, and shallow flats, especially when the tide is moving.
Speckled trout tend to hold around areas where baitfish are concentrated, with deeper drop-offs becoming more important as the sun gets higher.
The strong winds this weekend have made some of the more exposed water difficult to fish. Protected shorelines and smaller creek mouths may be better options once conditions are safe.
Little Lagoon Pass & Fall Redfish
Little Lagoon Pass is another area worth checking during the fall.
Moving water through the pass can concentrate baitfish, which attracts redfish, flounder, and other species.
Redfish can be caught using live shrimp, small pinfish, cut mullet, and soft plastics.
Look for areas where current moves around the edges of the channel or creates a break that allows fish to sit and feed.
A small paddle tail on a jig head can be a good choice when you’re covering water. If the fish aren’t chasing artificial baits, slow down and fish live shrimp or cut bait near the bottom.
Flounder are also beginning their fall movement toward the Gulf, making areas around passes and channels worth checking.
Always check Alabama’s current size limits, bag limits, and seasonal regulations before keeping fish.
Offshore Fishing – Gulf Shores
Offshore fishing can still be productive during October, but the weather has been the biggest issue lately.
Strong winds and rough seas have kept conditions difficult this weekend, with offshore seas reaching 7 to 10 feet and occasionally higher on Saturday.
Once the weather settles down, anglers can look for king mackerel around nearshore reefs and bait schools.
Slow trolling live cigar minnows, menhaden, or other live bait can be productive when kings are feeding around structure.
Bottom fishing around reefs and wrecks can also produce vermilion snapper and other reef species that are legal to harvest.
For anglers heading farther offshore, blackfin tuna, mahi, and wahoo are possibilities around productive offshore structure and clean-water breaks.
Greater amberjack recreational harvest closed in Gulf federal waters on October 14, so anglers need to make sure they’re checking current regulations before keeping fish.
Red snapper seasons also vary depending on whether you’re fishing from a private boat or a federally permitted charter.
With the recent hurricane and rough weather, make sure to check the marine forecast before making an offshore trip.
Hurricane Isaias – Gulf Shores Update
Hurricane Isaias affected the northern Gulf Coast on October 9, bringing strong winds, heavy surf, and dangerous conditions to coastal Alabama.
Gulf Shores was under a mandatory visitor evacuation order before the storm, and several roads and bridges were temporarily closed.
Fortunately, the area avoided the major damage experienced in some other parts of the Gulf Coast.
On October 10, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey lifted the mandatory visitor evacuation order, and the City of Gulf Shores announced that major bridges and roadways had reopened.
By October 12, local tourism officials were reporting that Gulf Shores had experienced minimal storm damage and was welcoming visitors back.
There were still areas dealing with cleanup and storm debris, and anglers should continue watching for hazards around beaches, boat ramps, and shallow water.
Gulf State Park was among the facilities temporarily closed ahead of the hurricane, so anyone planning to fish the pier should check for the latest operating information.
One thing fishermen should pay attention to is how the storm may have changed the beaches. Strong surf can move sand around, creating new troughs and cuts while filling in others.
Those changes can affect where fish hold and feed.
What to Expect Going Into Late October
Fishing around Gulf Shores should continue getting better as we move farther into October and water temperatures begin cooling.
Pompano and whiting should remain good targets along the beaches, especially once the surf settles down and the water clears up.
Redfish should continue feeding around the beaches, Little Lagoon, and Bon Secour Bay, while speckled trout should become more active around grass flats and deeper edges.
The Spanish mackerel and king mackerel bites could also improve as more baitfish move through the area.
The biggest thing to watch right now is the weather. Strong north winds have made fishing difficult in some areas, but once conditions improve, there should be plenty of opportunities for anglers fishing from shore or by boat.
If you’re heading out this week, check the surf conditions, watch for baitfish, and don’t be afraid to move around until you find cleaner water.
Good luck out there! If you’ve been fishing around Gulf Shores, Little Lagoon, or Bon Secour Bay lately, let us know what you’ve been catching and how the fishing has been since the hurricane!
NOEoutdoors