Orange Beach and Gulf Shores fishing report for the week of October 8, 2026. The fall bite is starting on the Alabama coast, with pompano along the beach, bull reds in the passes, and kings nearshore. A new moon this weekend should help.
What’s Hitting
Pompano are working the surf and the pier, bull redfish are in Perdido Pass and Fort Morgan, king mackerel are nearshore, and Spanish mackerel are hitting at the piers. Flounder are beginning to move through the passes, and speckled trout are in the bays. Offshore, the red snapper season and the amberjack are options, depending on regulations.
Where to Find Them
Perdido Pass and Fort Morgan are prime for bull reds and flounder on the moving tide. The Gulf State Park Pier is a good place for pompano, mackerel and kings. The bays, such as Wolf Bay and Bon Secour, hold trout and slot reds. Offshore, the artificial reefs hold amberjack and snapper.
Tides & Conditions
The new moon this weekend means stronger tides. The passes will run hard, so use caution when entering or exiting. A front can bring rough surf and sudden wind shifts, so check the forecast before you go.
Tackle & Tactics
For pompano, use a double-drop rig with fresh sand fleas or Fishbites. Bull reds take cut mullet or menhaden on a fish-finder rig. For kings, troll live bait or spoons. In the bays, live shrimp under a float works for trout.
Surf anglers should walk the beach at first light and read the water. The darker troughs between the sandbars are where pompano and whiting feed, and a clean, green surf with a light onshore breeze is ideal. Fort Morgan’s beaches are less crowded than the main stretch.
Local Intel This Week
Public access includes Perdido Pass, the Gulf State Park Pier, Fort Morgan State Park and the Billy Goat Hole area, with several public ramps on the bay. Fish are concentrating around the passes and the piers. Check current Alabama regulations and seasons before keeping any fish.
This Week’s Tip
Check the surf each morning. Pompano come in on clean, green water with a mild surf, and you can find them by looking for the swash and the troughs.
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