As we step into October in the Gulf of Mexico, particularly around New Orleans, the fishing scene is still buzzing with activity from the previous month. Here’s a snapshot of what you can expect today, October 3rd.

### Weather and Tides
The weather is looking relatively calm for now, with variable winds less than 5 knots in the morning, increasing to northeast winds at about 10 knots in the afternoon. Seas are expected to be 3 feet or less, making it a comfortable day for both inshore and offshore fishing.

Sunrise is at around 6:55 AM, and sunset will be at approximately 6:30 PM, giving you a full day to cast your lines.

### Fish Activity
September's transition into October means that many species are still active. Speckled Trout, for instance, are still in their transitional phase, moving from the outer marshes to the inner areas. You can find them around places like the rigs and beaches of Grand Isle, as well as closer inshore spots like Martello Castle in Lake Borgne.

Redfish are also plentiful, particularly in the tidal marshes and backwater rivers. They are often found in areas with abundant bait, such as shrimp and small crabs.

Flounder and Sheepshead are also active, with Flounder abundant around grass beds and dock structures. Sheepshead can be found around dock and bridge pilings, taking small shrimp and fiddler crabs.

### Best Lures and Bait
For Speckled Trout, live shrimp on a popping cork or under dock lights at night are highly effective. Artificial lures like swim and twitch baits also work well, especially during the early morning and late afternoon bites.

For Redfish, using live baits such as shrimp, crabs, and mullet is a good strategy. Artificial lures like spoons and soft plastics can also yield results.

Flounder are best targeted with Gulp Alive soft plastics due to their strong scent, while Sheepshead require patience and small shrimp or fiddler crabs.

### Hot Spots
One of the hot spots for Speckled Trout is Chef Pass between Lakes Pontchartrain and Borgne. Here, you can expect to see diving birds indicating the presence of shrimp, which attract the trout.

For Redfish and Flounder, the tidal marshes and backwater rivers around Slidell and Biloxi Marsh are excellent. Captain Brad's favorite spots include the shallow water estuaries and honey holes in these areas.

### Yesterday’s Catch
Yesterday saw a good number of Speckled Trout caught, particularly around the inshore areas. Redfish were also abundant, with several anglers reporting catches in the tidal marshes. Flounder and Sheepshead were also caught in decent numbers, especially around dock structures and grass beds.

In summary, today promises to be a great day for fishing in the Gulf of Mexico around New Orleans. With calm weather, favorable tides, and active fish populations, you have a good chance of landing a variety of species. Just remember to be patient, especially when targeting Sheepshead, and to cover a lot of water to find where the fish are biting. Happy fishing