Updated: Thursday, October 15, 2026 · Next update: Thursday, October 22, 2026
This Mississippi Gulf Coast fishing report covers mid-October, when cooling weather turns on the fall fishing along the coast and out at the barrier islands. Speckled trout are the lead target around the islands and the grass flats, bull reds stack in the passes between the islands, and flounder are staging for their fall run. The main thing to plan around is the open-water run to the islands: pick a calm morning, and fish the moving water in the passes on easing tides.
What’s Hitting
Speckled trout hold around the barrier islands and the grass flats, and they are the most dependable fish of mid-October. Bull reds are in the passes between the islands, and flounder are staging for the fall run. Sheepshead are around the bridges and docks, and Spanish mackerel and bluefish are nearshore.
Expect the flounder run to build over the next few weeks as water temperatures drop, while trout keep feeding around the islands and flats. Cooling water starts flounder moving toward the passes on their way to the Gulf, which is why the passes and island edges turn into hot spots in the fall.
Where to Find Them
Fish the passes between Ship, Horn and Cat Islands for bull reds. The passes funnel moving water between the Sound and the Gulf, making them natural feeding lanes for big redfish.
Work the grass flats and the surf lines around the islands for trout. Island surf lines and grass edges give trout both cover and a steady flow of bait, especially where a trough runs parallel to the beach. Bridges and docks in Biloxi and Pass Christian hold sheepshead.
Tides & Conditions
The moon is building toward first quarter and tides are easing. Moving water in the passes is still the best window, and calm mornings make the open-water run much easier. Check a current tide chart and the marine forecast for your dates.
Easing tides mean less current in the passes, which makes it easier to hold a bait on the bottom while still giving fish enough flow to feed.
Tackle & Tactics
- Trout: live shrimp under a popping cork is the standard.
- Bull reds: cut mullet, with a heavier weight to keep the bait down in the pass current.
- Flounder: a mud minnow on a Carolina rig, which lets the bait swim freely just off the bottom where flounder lie in wait.
- Gear: medium spinning tackle with 15 pound braid covers most of the fishing.
Fish slowly around structure and grass edges for trout. Always carry a marine radio or phone, and check the weather before heading to the islands.
Local Intel This Week
Fish concentrate around the barrier islands and the passes in mid-October. Launch from the Gulfport Small Craft Harbor, the Biloxi area ramps, Pass Christian Harbor or Ocean Springs Inner Harbor and pick the harbor closest to the pass you plan to fish. Point Cadet Marina, the Bay St. Louis Public Ramp and the Lyman Public Ramp add more launch options, and the Biloxi and Pass Christian docks and bridges give boaters a sheepshead stop on the way in. Check current state and federal regulations and seasons before keeping fish.
This Week’s Tip
Watch the weather windows. The route to the barrier islands is open water, so wait for a calm day and check the marine forecast before you go. Afternoon wind can make the return trip much rougher than the morning run out, so plan to head back before it builds.
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