NOEoutdoors Fishing Report – Pensacola, Florida – Inshore, Surf, Pier & Jetty – Second Week of October 2025

 

October fishing in Pensacola is firing on all cylinders. The water is clear, the mornings are cooler, and the bait is thick. Surface temps are sitting in the low 70s, and every major species is feeding before the next strong cold front rolls through. From the bays and passes to the beaches and piers, this is prime time to fish the Gulf Coast.

 

 

 

Inshore Bite

 

 

Speckled trout, redfish, and flounder are lighting it up right now. The best action is early morning and late afternoon when the tide is moving and the water is calm.

 

Trout are stacked up over grass flats, sandy cuts, and creek mouths. Topwater baits like Spooks and She Dogs are working at first light. Once the sun rises, switch to soft plastics on 1/8 oz jigheads or suspending twitch baits in natural colors like white, silver flake, or new penny.

 

Redfish are cruising docks, grass edges, and oyster bars. Throw soft plastic paddletails, live shrimp, or finger mullet on a light jighead. If you’re near the pass or bridges, bull reds are thick — look for birds diving or bait getting pushed to the surface on an incoming tide.

 

Flounder are staging on sand transitions and structure near creek mouths. Slow-roll a soft plastic along the bottom or use live bull minnows. October is prime time before the migration offshore begins.

 

 

 

Surf Bite

 

 

The surf along Pensacola Beach and Navarre is hot when the water stays clean and the surf is light to moderate.

 

Pompano are biting well in the mornings, especially on an incoming tide. Fish double drop rigs with sand fleas, Fishbites, or small shrimp chunks. Cast just beyond the first sandbar and look for color changes or rips.

 

Redfish are cruising the troughs along the beach — fresh-cut mullet or shrimp on a Carolina rig is deadly right now.

 

Bluefish, whiting, and ladyfish are mixed in and hitting small spoons and jigs. The variety keeps rods bent between pompano bites.

 

When the surf is calm, bull reds and black drum can be caught right off the beach using big fresh baits and heavier tackle near cuts and deeper washouts.

 

 

 

Pier & Jetty Bite

 

 

The Pensacola Beach Pier, Navarre Pier, and Fort Pickens Jetty are all producing solid action this week.

 

Spanish mackerel are running heavy — use Gotcha plugs, silver spoons, or bubble rigs for fast limits early in the morning. Watch for bait showers and diving birds.

 

King mackerel are being caught off the end of the piers on live cigar minnows or large spoons. Early mornings and outgoing tides are best.

 

Bull reds are thick around the jetties and pier pilings. Use cut mullet, shrimp, or soft plastics on heavy jigheads. The incoming tide has been strongest for bites.

 

Sheepshead and mangrove snapper are also hanging near the jetty rocks. Fiddler crabs or live shrimp fished tight to structure will get bit.

 

 

 

Cold Front Tips

 

 

1. Fish Ahead of the Front: The bite always spikes when the wind shifts from south to north. Hit the water right before the pressure drops.

2. Go Deeper After the Front: Cooler air drives fish down. Focus on drop offs, bridges, and jetty edges until temps stabilize.

3. Stay Natural: Clear fall water means light leaders, subtle baits, and realistic colors catch more fish.

 

 

 

 

 

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