I have never saltwater fished in my life, we are headed down to Goose Island in a couple of weeks. Can I use my bass rods? What kinda bait do I use. Thanks for your input.

bass tackle will be fine. spinners, topwaters and swimbaits will work. just about anything you chunk at bass will work on redfish.

Freeline a live shrimp or mullet on a 2/0 kahle and you will get bit by something. Add a split shot about 12 inches above the hook if you want the bait to sink some. This is especially effective at night under lights. If they don't bite that, they aren't biting period.

My Family and I have been going to Goose Island for vacation for over 45 years. If you want to catch trout at night on the pier get a light 6 ft rod with 6 pound line. Use pan assassin with 1/16 ounce git head. Opening Night has always worked great. My Family is there right now wish I was still the with them. Only was there over the weekend this year. The fishing right now is a little slow because of the fresh water by is improving very day. Should be good by the time you go. We catch some good red fish at the end of the Island on the other side of the leland from the pier. Its a long walk but its good fishing. We use steal leaders and 1 ounce sinkers with mullets for bait. We also catch trout and sharks down there. We put a cross down there for my dad but its not there right now we are getting fixed.

Thank you all very much for the info.

Good luck & let us know of your success & stringer pics.