Updated: Thursday, October 22, 2026 · Next update: Thursday, October 29, 2026
This Orange Beach/Gulf Shores fishing report covers late October, when fall is firmly in place on the Alabama coast. Pompano are the lead target along the beaches, and bull reds gather at the passes, with king mackerel working nearshore. Whiting share the surf, flounder stage near the passes, and speckled trout and Spanish mackerel give inshore anglers options when the beach is rough. The main condition to plan around is the strengthening tide: build the day around the outgoing water at Perdido Pass.
What’s Hitting
Pompano and whiting are in the surf along Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, and pompano lead the list. 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. Expect flounder and bull reds to build at the pass over the coming weeks, the typical fall progression on this stretch of coast.
Where to Find Them
Walk the beach at Gulf Shores and Orange Beach for pompano, looking for the troughs and cuts where they feed. Fish Perdido Pass on the outgoing tide for bull reds and flounder. Falling water flushes bait out of the back bays and through the pass, and predators wait along the edges.
Gulf State Park Pier is a good spot for mackerel, and the bays hold speckled trout on the grass.
Tides & Conditions
With the moon heading toward full, tides are strengthening through the week. The outgoing tide at the pass is the key window for reds and flounder. Stronger tides move more water and more bait, concentrating fish at choke points like Perdido Pass and Alabama Point. Check a current tide chart and marine forecast before heading out.
Tackle & Tactics
- Pompano: pompano jigs and sand fleas in the surf.
- Bull reds: cut mullet.
- Flounder: live bait near the pass.
- Kings: a trolled live bait or duster.
For pompano, keep the bait in the wash and watch for subtle taps. Pompano feed in the turbulent water where waves dislodge sand fleas, so a bait sitting just inside the breaking wave stays in their path. A light rod tip helps read the small strikes.
Local Intel This Week
Cotton Bayou Boat Ramp and the Perdido Pass boat launch put boaters within a short run of the pass and nearshore king water. Gulf State Park Pier gives walk-on anglers a shot at Spanish mackerel. For the back bays and their trout, the site’s Orange Beach guide also lists Bon Secour Public Ramp and Bear Point Marina. Check current state and federal regulations and seasons before keeping fish.
This Week’s Tip
Read the beach. Look for troughs and cuts where pompano feed on sand fleas. A darker band of water, a gap in the breaking waves, or a spot where the wash pulls back harder usually marks deeper water. Set the surf rod there instead of casting blindly down the beach.
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