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

 

October fishing around Perdido Key is about as good as it gets. Water temps are in the low 70s, baitfish are everywhere, and the first cool mornings of fall have the bite wide open. The Gulf is clean, the surf is moderate, and tides are moving strong. Everything from trout and redfish in the bays to pompano and bull reds on the beach is chewing right now.

 

 

 

Inshore Bite

 

 

Perdido Bay, Old River, and the ICW are producing solid numbers of speckled trout, redfish, and flounder this week.

 

Trout are hitting topwater early around grass flats and sandy drop-offs. Throw walk-the-dog baits like She Dogs, Spooks, or Skitter Walks. Once the sun gets high, switch to soft plastics or suspending twitch baits in white, silver, or natural shrimp colors. Focus on 2–5 feet of water with bait activity or current flow.

 

Redfish are everywhere — along docks, grass edges, and creek mouths. Slot reds are crushing shrimp and small mullet under popping corks, while bull reds are stacked near the bridge and the pass. Use heavier gear and live baits when fishing deeper water or stronger current.

 

Flounder are sitting tight on sandy edges and creek drains. Slow-roll a soft plastic on a 1/4 oz jighead or drag a bull minnow along the bottom. This is prime time before they begin pushing offshore for the spawn.

 

 

 

Surf Bite

 

 

The surf bite along Perdido Key Beach and Johnson Beach has been hot this week. Clean water and consistent tides have the fish close to shore.

 

Pompano are biting best on incoming tides with light surf. Use sand fleas, Fishbites, or small shrimp on double-drop rigs. Cast just beyond the first sandbar where the water shifts color.

 

Redfish are cruising the beach early and late — fresh-cut mullet or shrimp on a Carolina rig is all you need. Most bites are happening in the first trough, not far off the sand.

 

Whiting, bluefish, and ladyfish are mixed in and providing steady action between pompano and redfish. On calm days, small spoons or jigs will keep rods bent all morning.

 

For bigger targets, bull reds and black drum are hanging near the cuts and deeper washouts along the beach — use heavy tackle and fresh baits.

 

 

 

Pier & Jetty Bite

 

 

The Perdido Pass Jetty and nearby Gulf State Park Pier are both producing strong mixed-bag action.

 

Spanish mackerel are running thick right now. Gotcha plugs, silver spoons, and bubble rigs are catching fish all morning long. Cast into bait schools or near diving birds.

 

King mackerel are being caught near the end of the jetty and pier on live cigar minnows or large spoons. Best times are sunrise and the first couple hours of the outgoing tide.

 

Bull reds are stacked along the rocks during incoming tides. Big cut bait or soft plastics on heavy jigheads are getting crushed.

 

Sheepshead and mangrove snapper are around the structure too — fish live shrimp or fiddler crabs tight to the rocks.

 

Expect bonus catches of jacks, black drum, and the occasional cobia when the water’s clear.

 

 

 

Cold Front Tips

 

 

1. Fish Before the Front: The bite peaks before the barometer rises. Plan your trip around the weather shift.

2. Work Deeper Afterward: Cooler air pushes fish to deeper water and tighter cover. Adjust depth and slow your retrieve.

3. Stay Natural: Clear fall water means lighter fluorocarbon leaders and natural bait colors are key to more bites.

 

 

 

 

 

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