Orange Beach and Gulf Shores fishing report for the week of October 15, 2026. Fall is arriving on the Alabama coast, with pompano working the beaches and bull reds gathering at the passes.
What’s Hitting
Pompano and whiting are in the surf, bull reds are at Perdido Pass and Alabama Point, and king mackerel are nearshore. Flounder are staging near the passes, speckled trout are on the grass flats, and Spanish mackerel are around the piers.
Looking ahead, the fall run of bull reds and flounder should build at the pass over the coming weeks, and pompano will stay along the beach until water temperatures drop further.
Where to Find Them
Walk the beach at Gulf Shores and Orange Beach for pompano, and fish Perdido Pass on the outgoing tide for bull reds and flounder. The Gulf State Park Pier is a good spot for mackerel, and the bays hold trout.
Tides & Conditions
With the moon heading toward first quarter, tides are easing. The outgoing tide at the pass is the key window. Check a current tide chart and the marine forecast.
Tackle & Tactics
Pompano jigs and sand fleas work in the surf, cut mullet for bull reds, and live bait for flounder. A trolled live bait or duster covers kings. Medium spinning gear fits most of the work.
For pompano, keep your bait right in the wash and watch for the subtle taps. For bull reds, use a stout rod and a quality reel, and be ready for hard runs in the current.
Local Intel This Week
Public access includes Cotton Bayou, the Perdido Pass boat launch, and Gulf State Park Pier. Fish are concentrating at the passes, the pier and the beach troughs. Check current Alabama and federal regulations and seasons before keeping any fish.
This Week’s Tip
Read the beach. Look for troughs and sandbars, and fish the cuts where pompano feed on sand fleas.
More Orange Beach/Gulf Shores Resources
All Orange Beach/Gulf Shores fishing reports · Seasonal fishing calendars · Submit your own report
Planning a trip to Orange Beach / Gulf Shores AL?
This report tells you what happened. ReelAI tells you what to do about it — a briefing for your date, your target species and how you're fishing, built from our reports plus live NOAA and USGS data.
Powered by ReelAI — fishing.digital's intelligence layer. Answers are generated from fishing.digital reports and public NOAA, NWS and USGS data, and may be incomplete or out of date. Regulations and marine safety information are summaries only; always confirm with the responsible authority before you fish.