New Orleans Fishing Heats Up as Fall Patterns Peak

Artificial Lure here with your latest fishing report for New Orleans and the surrounding Gulf of Mexico waters—Thursday, October 23, 2025. Sunrise hit right at 7:08 AM this morning, with sunset expected at 6:22 PM. The folks over at Tides4Fishing report we’re working with a pretty lively set of tides today—a tidal coefficient starting at 76 and tapering down to 69 by evening, which spells some strong currents and active fish, especially around peak movement in the late morning and early afternoon. That high tide and bouncing water usually means predators are pushing shallow and bait’s on the move. You’ll want to mind your footing near the marsh edges and jetties, as water will be moving quick. Weather’s holding nice—mild for October, with temps hovering near 75–80°F. Winds are light, picking up a little in the afternoon but nothing that’ll keep you off the water. Skies started out partly cloudy, clearing up as the sun comes on. Now, if you’re wondering what’s biting, you picked a great week. According to Louisiana Sportsman, we’re hitting peak fall patterns. Speckled trout are moving thick into the river passes, especially as the Mississippi’s dropping and the water cools into the low 70s. Local legends like Kevin Ford say it best: “You can sit in the river itself, 35 miles from the Gulf, and catch all the speckled trout you want.” It ain’t just talk—anglers are hauling in solid catches of 17 to 22-inch specs, with white trout, redfish, flounder, and even a few hefty drum mixing in as bycatch. Hot action reported in the outer Venice passes—Tiger Pass, Red Pass, and South Pass—especially where mullet, menhaden, and white shrimp are piling into the river. Redfish are schooled up along marsh edges and oyster reefs, most reliable in the Delacroix and Pointe a la Hache zones. On the lure side, you’ll want 3/8-ounce jig heads paired with soft plastics in purple/chartreuse or black/chartreuse. Jig and popping cork along the cane edges works like a charm. If you’d rather live bait it, nothing beats a lively shrimp or finger mullet bounced off the bottom, especially around drop-offs and channel mouths. Word is, a lot of nice reds and flounder coming on cut mullet or live minnow under a Carolina rig. If you’re trolling or casting for Spanish mackerel outside the passes, silver spoons and flashy casting jigs have been the ticket. Nearshore reefs off Grand Isle and the rigs south of Barataria Bay are alive with Spanish macks and the occasional jack. A couple of hot spots to try: - Breton Sound Biloxi Marsh edges—especially on an incoming tide. You’ll find specks and reds crashing bait on the points. - Long Rocks at Shell Beach—great for mixed bags of trout, reds, and the odd sheepshead. - Southwest Pass jetty—steady action for bull reds, especially with cut bait during the last couple hours of the falling tide. Bring a cooler—limits are likely for those working the bait right and moving with the tide. Light tackle is plenty sufficient, but pack a he This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.