As of October 12, 2024, the Gulf of Mexico along Florida's coast is offering some fantastic fishing opportunities. Here’s what you need to know for a successful day on the water.

### Weather and Tides
The weather is looking pleasant with mild temperatures, ranging from the mid-70s to the low 80s. Expect a gentle breeze out of the northeast at about 10 miles per hour. Tides are crucial, and today you can anticipate a high tide around 9:30 AM and a low tide at 3:30 PM.

### Sunrise and Sunset
Sunrise is at 7:30 AM, and sunset will be at 6:45 PM, giving you ample daylight to explore the waters.

### Fish Activity
Yesterday saw a lot of activity, particularly with the fall mullet run in full swing. This migration has attracted a variety of species. Redfish, tarpon, and snook were among the most active, especially in the inshore and nearshore areas.

### Catch Reports
Captains reported catching a good number of redfish, with some anglers landing up to 20 fish per day in areas like the flats north of the Hwy 98 bridge in Apalachicola and around Dog Island near Carrabelle. Tarpon were also plentiful, especially along the beaches and in passes like Boca Grande Pass. Snook were active at night, particularly in the Everglades region and around Sarasota.

### Best Lures and Bait
For redfish, live shrimp are always a top choice. If you prefer artificial lures, gold or silver spoons, traditional grubs in colors like Gulf red, white, or new penny, and suspension lures in greenback or silver are highly effective. For tarpon, use large streamers or baitfish patterns if you're fly fishing, or try using live mullet or pinfish. Snook are attracted to live bait like shrimp or pinfish, as well as jigs and plugs.

### Hot Spots
- **Apalachicola and Eastpoint**: The flats here are teeming with redfish and trout. Look for areas around Dog Island and Yents Bayou.
- **Boca Grande Pass**: This is a hotspot for tarpon, especially during the fall mullet run.
- **Sarasota and Siesta Key**: Good night snook action has been reported here, particularly in the deep grass flats.

With the cooler temperatures and the mullet run, this is an excellent time to get out on the water and enjoy some of the best fishing the Gulf of Mexico has to offer.