Bite AtlasFlorida field guide← Explore
A year on the water

Find your season.

Every month brings a different reason to get outside. Explore typical patterns, then check your region before you go.

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Showing October · Current month in Florida

October field notes

Mullet Run Peak — Best Month of Fall

The mullet run is in full force. Snook, redfish, tarpon remnants, and jacks are demolishing bait schools. Pompano start showing again. Seatrout bite picks up on cooling flats.

Seasonal activity
Peak
Typical water
74–82°F

Species to explore

SnookRedfishFlorida PompanoSpotted SeatroutJack CrevalleFlounderSpanish Mackerel

Build your approach

  • Mullet run peak — follow the bait, follow the fish. Beaches, inlets, and passes are on fire.
  • Pompano return to the surf — sand fleas and Fishbites as water drops below 77°F.
  • Seatrout bite improves dramatically on grass flats — topwater early, soft plastics midday. Last month to keep trout in the Indian River Lagoon region before its Nov. 1 closure.
  • Flounder start their fall migration — fish channel edges with live finger mullet. Harvest is closed statewide Oct. 15-Nov. 30, so release them from mid-month on.
  • October is arguably the most exciting fishing month in Florida. Get out there.