Jacksonville fishing report for the week of October 1, 2026. This is the start of the best stretch of the year in Northeast Florida. The mullet run is pushing down the beaches, water temperatures are finally dropping out of the summer range, and nearly every inshore species is getting more aggressive at the same time.
What’s Hitting
This week on the water, bull redfish are the headline. The big spawning reds are stacked around the St. Johns River jetties and the mouth of the river, and they will hit a big piece of cut bait on the bottom. Inside, slot-size reds are working the oyster bars and grass edges. Flounder are starting their fall migration toward the inlets, and speckled trout are moving into the creeks and along the ICW. Along the beach, there are jacks, bluefish, and Spanish mackerel working the mullet schools.
Where to Find Them
For bull reds, fish the St. Johns River jetties, both the north and south sides, on the outgoing tide, and the deep holes near Mayport. For flounder, work the rock piles at the jetties and the docks and creek mouths around Mayport, Fort George Inlet, and Nassau Sound. Trout are in the creeks off the ICW between Mayport and the Fort George River, and around the grass edges in Pablo Creek. Slot reds are on the oyster bars in the backwaters behind Little Talbot Island.
Tides & Conditions
Tides are moderating with the last quarter moon this weekend, and the next new moon around October 10 will bring bigger water. The St. Johns moves a lot of current regardless, so heavy weights are part of the program near the jetties. Water temperatures are in the upper 70s and dropping. Northeast winds become more common in October and can stir up the beaches, so check the forecast before planning a jetty trip.
Tackle & Tactics
For bull reds, use a fish-finder rig with a 4- to 6-ounce sinker, a 7/0 or 8/0 circle hook, and a chunk of fresh mullet or a half blue crab. For flounder, a mud minnow or finger mullet on a Carolina rig or a 1/4-ounce jig with a Gulp tail. For trout, a popping cork with a live shrimp or a soft plastic is hard to beat in the creeks.
Local Intel This Week
The Mayport Boat Ramp is the go-to for the jetties and the river mouth, and the Sisters Creek Marina ramp and the Joe Carlucci Boat Ramp at Sisters Creek also put you on the ICW. Shore anglers do well from the Huguenot Memorial Park side of the jetties and from the Jacksonville Beach Pier. Fish are concentrated at the jetties for reds and at the creek mouths for trout and flounder. Bull reds over the slot must be released quickly and carefully; check current FWC regulations and seasons before keeping fish.
This Week’s Tip
Bull reds are breeding fish, so handle them with care. Use circle hooks, keep them in the water as much as possible, and support the belly if you lift one for a photo. A quick release in the current is the best thing you can do for next year’s run.
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