Redfish season stays steady along the Alabama Gulf coast
Water temperatures are holding in the upper 70s across Mobile Bay and the Gulf, with NOAA CO-OPS station 8735180 reading 78.3°F and station 8736897 reading 79°F at the latest observation. That is warm for mid-October and keeps inshore fish comfortable and feeding. Coastal Angler Magazine readers posted several redfish this month from the northern Gulf. One angler landed a 28 inch red fishing the Mississippi coast near Pascagoula, and another caught a 28.5 inch red in the shallows of Yankeetown on October 5. Both fish are bull-class reds, which fits the fall pattern of larger fish pushing into shallow flats and passes. Salt Strong (articles) notes that water levels are high across much of the Southeast, which spreads inshore fish over more territory and can make them harder to find. Their advice is to adjust and keep moving until you locate bait. They also describe a tough bite turning around when an angler switched from plugs to soft plastic jerk lures and picked up a quick slam that included redfish and snook. Popping corks remain a go-to rig for redfish according to the same source.
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Expect the warm water to hold through the next few days, so inshore fish should stay active and willing to eat through the middle of the day rather than shutting down after sunrise. With the waxing crescent moon giving only modest night light, early morning and late afternoon remain the best windows to plan around.
Saltwater Sportsman points out that the fall mullet run is under way along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, with baitfish of all sizes leaving rivers, bays and estuaries from September into November. As more mullet move out, redfish typically stack up near passes, points and shorelines where bait funnels through. Look for birds working and nervous baitfish before committing to a spot.
If water stays high, try targeting edges where grass, creek mouths and shoreline structure give fish a place to ambush bait. A popping cork with a live or soft plastic offering covers shallow water efficiently, and switching to a soft plastic jerk bait is a sensible change when plugs are not producing.
Context
Mid-October on the Alabama Gulf coast is typically a transition period. Summer heat is easing, bait is moving, and redfish begin gathering in larger groups as the fall run builds. Water in the upper 70s is on the warm side for this point in the calendar, so the cooler-water pattern that usually arrives by November may be a little late this year.
This is generally one of the most productive stretches of the year for inshore anglers, with larger bull reds showing up alongside smaller slot fish. Check state regulations for current size and bag limits before keeping any fish.
Synthesized from real-time NOAA buoy data, USGS stream gauges, and current reports across regional fishing blogs, captain updates, and angler forums. Check local regulations before keeping fish. Never trust a single source for a trip decision.
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