What's the best stuff to use for night fishing? either for shark, trout, spanish mack, red fish or whatever else is in the surf?

Cut bait...and lots of it....try and use a "bait rod" to catch some whiting or croaker...then either use it whole or just cut it...chunk it deep and set it in the holder....could also just get some mullet in a cast net....it really depends on what type of gear you're fishing with?....that dictates the bait you're going to be able to use...hope this helps

well, im going with about a 10 foot surf rod

then you should be chunking cut bait....surf rod sitting in the rod holder, man....either catch it with the bait rod or buy it before heading out....remember that fresher is better...

sorry to leave the macks out...as far as those it's nothing but a silver spoon....

yeah, I plan on catching bait on my own when i get there. more fun that way

what part of the surf are you planning to fish?...and when are you heading out?

i'll be out there starting may 28. i think ill fish they guts of the sandbars during the day and early morning see whats there. not sure what to use. i really want to catch some spanish mack for the fight i just have never done it. ill use some live shrimp for trout and red. then at night i was going to pull out my surf rod and take it out pretty far for the big fish like big black drum and shark. any tips on all that?

Robert-for shark and black drum, use 16/0 circle hooks with long wire leaders and spider weights either in the guts or as far out as you can get. To catch big, you have to think big. By doing this, it makes it really hard to catch hardeads, whiting, and pinfish. This way, if you are fishing for big fish, I think its better not to reel in a hardhead. If your line takes off, you know its something worth playing with. People are intimidated by big hooks...if you're going after big fish, go after big fish. If you're going to be a bear, be a grizzly like my Grandma always says. For black drum, use cracked crab. For shark, a wide assortment will catch them. Mullet, squid, menhaden, jack crevalle, and skipjack will all produce. Be patient, be ready, make friends, catch fish.

" to catch big, you have to think big".....I couldn't agree more!!!!

Go to www.breakawayusa.com and order the DVD's teaching you to read the beach. You might also think about a charter with Billy Sandifer on Padre Island. He will teach you just about everything you need to be successful fishing the surf in the span of one charter.

If you want to split the cost of the charter, I have been thinking of going myself in the near future. PM me if interested.

Is that your brother or what? jk... mad respect for the genius...

"Brother" in the sense of we are both 100% disabled Navy Veterans who did time and got screwed up by service in Viet Nam. Brother in a sense that we both love to fish. Brother in a sense of a rational strong feeling for the environment. I wish I could claim Billy as an actual Brother. He is one of the most knowledgeable people alive about the Texas Gulf surf.

That said, Nick Meyer and the guys at BreakawayUSA are pretty knowledgeable too, and no one knows more about distance casting than Nick.

I was just poking fun at the fact that you like to mention ole Billy Sandifer...

And trust me, I really want to split a trip with you to get a piece of his mind...

Matter of fact, I might go tonight down to Galveston... I'll definitely toast to you and your 'brother'...