Autumn Bite in the Gulf: Reds, Trout, and Flounder Galore

This is Artificial Lure with your October 11th, 2025 fishing report for the Gulf of Mexico and the Louisiana coast. Not a cloud in the sky this morning, and you could taste that bit of autumn in the air as the sun peeks up—sunrise hit us around 6:57 AM, and she'll set this evening at 6:44 PM. With a high tidal coefficient peaking at 103 at noon and ending above 108, there's plenty of water moving and that’s just what you want to see for a big fall bite. In Cocodrie, high tide rolled in early, so fish those current seams and drains for the best action today, and keep an eye out for some stiff wind—the forecast says it’ll pick up some and push that marsh water around, stirring up bait. Water temps are finally cooling and the bite’s been hot. According to Louisiana Sportsman, October’s prime time for “corking” trout inshore, and folks have been loading ice chests around the passes and bay islands. Over the last few days, catches of **speckled trout** have been thick under birds and near reefs—limits coming quick for early risers. Slot **redfish** are cruising the grass edges, and every canal’s got a few bulls chasing mullet. Lots of anglers are talking about the run of **flounder** on the beaches and in the cuts, but remember, the recreational flounder season closes October 15, so you’ve got just a few days left to get that flattie for supper. Folks running out to Grand Isle and Empire Jetty keep reporting solid action. Grand Isle’s surf is stacked up with bull reds—almost anyone throwing a mullet chunk or live pogie is hooking up. The Empire Jetty’s been money for slot reds and big trout when the tide is moving hard. If you want less boat traffic, the Rigolets Bridge up north is holding some real fat speckled trout, especially at first light. On the tackle front, the top baits this week have been *live shrimp*—still the gold standard, especially freelined or under a popping cork with a treble hook to increase hookups, just like the locals do it. If you can’t get live shrimp, a good fallback has been Gulp! shrimp or soft plastic paddle tails in natural or chartreuse colors. Topwater fans, don’t sleep on the morning “walking dog” baits for explosive trout and red blowups along the marsh edges and oyster beds. A classic gold spoon will still get plenty of looks from cruising reds, especially if you’re working shallow grass. Shrimp season continues to be strong, with both commercial and rec boats finding white shrimp in fourteen to twenty-five foot water near the passes—plenty of fresh local shrimp means the bait scene’s lively and the inshore fish are feeding up for that fall transition. There’s been good action on black drum and sheepshead around the bridges and pilings too, especially if you’ve got dead shrimp or fiddler crabs. If you want to maximize your day, my *hot spots* to try are: - **Grand Isle surf and passes**: For bull reds and late-season flounder—mullet, live or fresh-caught, is the ticket. - **The Bay Eloi reefs and Shell Beach ar This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.