FISHING REPORT: October 22, 2026
Weather/Water Conditions
Windy days have made getting out on the water tough, especially following the recent nor’easter. Water temperatures are beginning to cool, which is great news for the speckled trout bite. With conditions changing quickly this time of year, keep an eye on the forecast and take advantage of those calmer windows.
What's Biting Inshore
Speckled Trout: Trout have pushed heavily into the inlet, with plenty of smaller fish traveling in packs and the occasional slot-size fish mixed in. The outgoing tide has been the most productive window, even on windy days, and some of the bigger trout are hanging around.
Striped Bass: Stripers have been plentiful inshore, with artificials and hard baits like Wind cheaters producing well. They're another great target as water temperatures continue to drop.
Flounder: Bigger flounder were still holding in the inlet after the storms two weeks ago, but they’ve gradually started pushing out.
Bluefish: Bluefish are running around with the trout and are more than happy to crash the same baits. Paddle tails around grass flats and along the beach have been producing.
What's Biting In The Bay/Ocean/Offshore
Red Drum: The surf bite along the Oceanfront has been hot, with bigger drum hanging around in the stirred-up water following the storms. Jesse from the shop has been putting in time on the beach, learning to read the surf and finding some quality drum while the inlet drum bite has been slower.
Sharks: Sandbar sharks are still hanging around eating the bait and have been plentiful through the cuts the rough surf has created with the weather.
Speckled Trout: As the water starts to get calm again out there, we are expecting to see plenty of Trout swimming through with the blues.
Hot Tip: Don't overlook the surf after a storm. Learn to read the cuts, troughs, and moving water to find where drum are feeding.
Offshore
Offshore reports have been limited with the recent weather. We did see some impressive billfish come through the cleaning table and weigh-in during last week's tournament. Congratulations to everyone who got one to the boat!
Best Bite Window
Highly recommend to get out there towards the middle of the day and the later afternoon at this point of the year as the shallow waters will warm up from the sun and push bait in and the fish right behind them.
Best times: Focus on the outgoing tide for inlet trout, especially when you can find a break in the wind.
Tide influence: Moving water has been the key for trout. Along the beach, pay attention to how the surf and current move bait around after a storm.
The best way to be able to hone in on those tides and fishing times as you're learning is to check out TheBite app. They post our weekly fishing reports on there are well but will help you to learn how to track and follow those bite windows with the tides.
Fishing Tips
Baits & Lures
- Z-Man Mudstudz: A strong option for the inshore trout bite.
- Mirr-Olure: Purple top/chartreuse bottom and Trout color ways have been our favorites this year.
- Paddle tails: Darker colors and the reliable white/chartreuse combinations. Work them with a few bumps and a slow retrieve. If you're catching smaller trout, reel slightly faster to try to draw in bigger fish.
- Wind cheaters and other hard baits: A good choice for the plentiful inshore striped bass.
- Cut mullet and live blue crab: Solid options for targeting drum in the surf.
- Shrimp and sand fleas: Reliable bait choices, especially on double dropper rigs.
- Popping corks with artificial shrimp: Another setup worth having ready for inshore fishing.
Stop by and we’ll help you get stocked up and rigged for the current bite!
Looking ahead
As the water continues to cool, trout and striped bass are worth targeting, while flounder continue moving out of the inlet. Fall weather can change on a dime, so keep a rod and a few baits with you when you can. Watch the forecast, get those lines wet whenever conditions allow, and stop by Long Bay Pointe for bait and the latest fishing updates!