October Fishing Guide: Peak Runs, Storm Surges, and Solid Bites

Striped Bass

The fall run is in full swing, and October marks peak activity for the migration along the Atlantic coast. Post-nor'easter conditions have kicked things up a notch; reports indicate the bite is on 'fever pitch' as fish move upriver and stay active in cooling water. Fish are migrating south, and the fall run represents the largest seasonal movement of the year.

In Rhode Island and the Northeast, anglers are finding fish in the Providence and Seekonk Rivers, Narragansett Bay, and along the shoreline from Jamestown to Narragansett. Bay-to-ocean side transitions are also drawing attention. Sizes here range from slot to 40-plus inches.

California offers action in the Lower Sacramento River, from the American River confluence down through the Delta, where a second fall push is expected. Catches commonly run 5 to 15 pounds, with trophy fish over 30 pounds available.

Gear matching is critical. Jigs should mimic the bait available, such as bay anchovies, sand eels, and peanut bunker. When fish are blowing up on top, topwater lures work well. As the feed subsides, switch to small metals and bucktails for subsurface feeding. In the Northeast, trolling umbrella rigs or casting soft plastics along rocky shorelines is effective. In California, work swimbaits, large jigs, and cut bait along deep outside bends. Visual targeting during topwater blitzes and subsurface jigging when fish drop are the primary steps for success.

Bonito

Bonito are still present in October, though numbers have thinned. The stock has not completely blown out, and reports remain encouraging in the Narragansett area. Action is found in the mid-bay, from Point Judith to Newport, and on the bay-to-ocean side. Feeds are described as 'sporadically consistent.'

Match jig profiles to anchovies, sand eels, and bunker. Busting on top has been observed from the bay to the ocean side. Reports on presence are mixed; while some anglers confirm bonito are still around, individual captains note a lack of sightings since the storm, likely due to swells shifting fish locations.

Tautog (Blackfish)

Focused tautog fishing starts October 1. The bite is strong and expected to improve heading into November. Target shallow side structure, The Bay, and depths between 20 and 40 feet. Post-storm conditions have solidified the bite across these depths.

Green crabs are significantly more productive than white crabs. Jigging and rigging both produce equally well. Anchoring over structure works, but focusing on lesser-known structure helps beat the pressure. Fishing shallow structure in the Bay is a good move to avoid offshore swells. Keeper black sea bass are often mixed in with tautog, and numbers for that species are improving.

Fall Chinook Salmon

Fall Chinook fishing peaks from September through November. Fish enter rivers from August through December, and the fall run offers the highest biomass, making it the largest and easiest run to fish. The Sacramento River is a primary location, with action across upper, middle, and lower sections, as well as tributaries. Average fish run 15 to 25 pounds, with kings over 40 pounds caught regularly.

Drift fishing is a classic approach. The setup includes pencil sinkers, a drift bobber like a Corkie or Cheater, and roe or sand shrimp on a salmon hook. Cast upstream at a 45-degree angle, follow the drift downstream, and set the hook on a hesitation. Boat anglers hold the head of the run and drift piece by piece, while bank anglers target outside bends and tailouts.

Trolling works with downriggers or trolling plugs. Back-trolling deep-diving plugs such as Flatfish, Kwikfish, or Brad's Wiggler wrapped with tuna or sardine is a solid technique. Fly anglers use sink-tip line with egg patterns, flesh flies, or big articulated streamers in chartreuse or orange. Leader specs matter: keep it 3 to 4 feet in clear water, and extend to 6 feet if the water is off-color.

Steelhead

Timing varies significantly by region. In California and the Sacramento system, steelhead enter from November through March, peaking in December and January. October is early here, and fish are not yet active in significant numbers. In general areas like the Great Lakes, fall steelhead fishing is described as strongest in tributaries, implying October availability. Quality fish in Sacramento run 5 to 8 pounds and are known to fight hard.

Tactics include casting spinners or drifting spawn sacs for explosive bites. On the upper river, egg patterns and streamers draw steelhead. Note the timing discrepancy: while California systems show peak action later in the year, general fall fishing tips suggest strong action can be found in other regions during this window.

Trout and General Tips

Trout fishing is a fall staple in October. In Rhode Island, the Department of Environmental Management is initiating the fall stocking program, creating new opportunities on the water.

General advice for the month includes dressing in layers, as mornings run cold and afternoons warm up. Fall weather shifts quickly; watch for storms that can impact fish location and access. Post-storm fishing can actually improve as bait concentrates. Matching gear to the species and available bait remains the best strategy for consistent results.

Related on Fisherman Bible: Fall Fishing: Managing the Transition, Turnover, and Tackle Shifts, Fall Turnover: Mechanics, Timing, Tactics, and Where to Find Fish, How to Tie the Palomar Knot.