Obviously the Gulf State Park Pier! I hear there's good surf fishing on DI as well.
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You could take the ferry, but that wouldn't do much good for early morning or late evening fishing.
Leave he 12-14' rods at home, no real need for them here.
Welcome to the forum. October is usually a good month as the water cools down from the late summer simmer.
The closest and probably best choice for the pier fishing is the Gulf Shores State Pier. You will want to investigate the ferry schedule between Dauphin Island and Ft. Morgan, otherwise you'll have to drive back up to Mobile, across the bay and back down through Baldwin County, which is a pretty long drive doing it both ways for a day trip.
If you use your NC pier tackle, you will find yourself way over-gunned. Good luck.
There is good surf/shore bases fishing on DI, especially if you make the walk out to the Katrina Cut rocks.