October 2015 fishing forecast and gear advice

Family will be in the area for vacation October 18-23 2015. Already have learned a lot from the forum and have been keeping up with the fishing reports. Still have questions and could use some advise.
It's a long ways off, but how is mid October's bite shaping up? What's your experience and gut say could be biting especially well this October?
Really need advice on what line to go with on reels. Ohio River catfish gear doubles as salt gear. Usually a braid and fluoro leader guy from bass to cats. Like the castability and sensitivity.
Is it a sin to use braid with leader on the pier? What about with a top shot of fluoro? Do the party boats down there let you use braid on your own gear?
All my cat reels need new line and seeing as how no cat fishing has even happened during this bass focused summer, spooling them based on this trips fishing plans is priority.

What line would you suggest for the following setups?:

penn 950 spinfisher- this is the toughest decision because this reel needs to be versatile. Lol really versatile. Asking it to do a lot. planning on using this from the beach with 12' surf rod, but would also like to use this reel on the pier with a more reasonable rod. Suggestions on pier rod for this reel? Also would like to use it on a party boat with a heavy spin jig rod bottom fishing. So what main line choice could best accomplish all of these applications?

penn 560 live liner spinning- plan on using this from pier and beach with 7' heavy action rod. What line would you suggest?

6'6" heavy boat rod with penn 112h- plan on using this on party boat bottom fishing. What line would you suggest?

Forum rules might prohibit advertising but any suggestions on the best party boat to go out on? Any advice on a best bet to get on a walk on charter for a 12-18 hr trip? Where's the best place to eat a crap load of raw oysters? Sure even more questions will come up. Yes I over think things.
Appreciate the input. Counting the days til we get down there. Hope to meet some of you on the pier during an epic bite.

I was there in late October last year and did OK catching a variety of fish in the surf and bay, did not fish the pier. Didn't catch one every cast but enough for a few meals and brought a few home. I found that you have to move around a lot to find the fish and getting access to the beach out on Ft Morgan Road can be a challenge, but can be done with some scouting and creative parking places. I have a 4 wheel drive 4 Runner which allowed me to park where others couldn't. The bay is easier to access from about half way out Ft Morgan RD to the Fort. Parking can still be a problem, but not as bad as the Gulf side. The bay requires some walking to get to the water and then some wading to get to water more than a foot or two deep. I'll be there the entire month of October this year and will probably spend the 1st weekend scouting spots and talking to others who are fishing to get a feel for what's happening where. Probably will fish the pier a few days just to meet some of the fine gentlemen who frequent that spot and get some pointers from them.

I can tell you what I bring to the pier during October. I'll have one (#20 line) 7' rod for kings and big redfish, etc. and a lighter action rod with #12 - #14 lb line for spanish, slot reds, etc. The lighter one you'll want to be able to throw a lot with a minimum of effort because, for spanish mackerel, for instance, there's a lot of repeat casting. The more time your lure looks like an easy meal in the "strike zone", the more fish you catch! You can go lighter on the line - I just say what I use.
As long as you have the right-sized line for the fish that are biting, it doesn't matter whether you use braid or mono, since the bite from a saltwater game fish is seldom subtle. What's important is that your line is in good condition and that your knots are good, because all of that preparation goes right down the drain if your knot slips or if your line breaks from a weak place.

Remember that the toothy critters require steel leader. Large spanish (which are sometimes around in October) will bite through mono leader just like a king will! I use a short length of steel leader when the big spanish are in. If they are incredibly steel leader-shy, I'll switch to heavy mono and take my chances.

You are coming in prime time You shouldn't have any problem catching fish at that time I do feel you are thinking too heavy for pier and surf You need to go as light as you can You'll be fishing very clear water I use 16 lb mono for kings Reds etc and 10lb for spanish Sometimes use 6-8 in the surf You'll have a lot of room to play a fish The Pier should be hot that time of the year for most everything Should be a good time for bull reds on Fort Morgan Point You should be able to catch fish just about anywhere but remember Go as light as you can

For surf fishing in Oct., we use 6#, 8#, and 10# mono, with 10# fluoro leaders. 7 1/2 and 8 ft. rods, With Penn 650 SS, 450 SS, and a couple of lighter set-ups for Whiting. Hope this helps.

Plus one on the lighter line. One afternoon, a year ago, I caught five bull reds in the surf with a 10# rig while fishing for pompano (never did get a pomp). No stumps or logs for 'em to wrap around---just let 'em run.

no braid line on head boats...better check before bringing your own tackle at all really. No deals on oysters just bring your pocketbook and eat all you want!

Got my gear plans squared away. Just gonna stop by j&m when I get down there to get terminal tackle based on what's biting. Just gonna use the gear headboat provides.
So at this point looking for any suggestions on head boats to catch some dinner. Do some allow 1 red snapper out of season? Ever catch any grouper on head boats?
Also can u kite fish from the surf legally?
Hope the damn sharks leave before we get there.
Caught the biggest and ugliest large mouth of my life today in my life long local fishing hole.

Go a lot lighter and have more fun. There are many types of smaller saltwater fish that are fun to catch and great on the dinner table.