FINALLY hitting the coast for the 1st time!

Hey guys!

So I am heading over to Galveston Island this weekend with 4 friends-- SUPER NEW to coast, 1st trip-- We plan on hitting SWP, 91st Pier and maybe TCD? I currently have plenty of tackle:


My poles:
10ft ProAngler with Penn Fierce II-- Spooled with 20lb MONO (I have 30lb MONO for a leader)
7ft ML Ugly Stik Gx2 with some 40-50$ abu spinning reel-- Spooled with 20lb MONO
7ft MH Zebco with a 30$ spinning reel-- 12lb MONO
6 1/2 M - Some cheap rod with a 30$ spinning reel-- 12lb MONO

I am hoping to land a bull red/shark of some kind with my 10 footer and would like to ask you guys for suggestions on what I should change about the rig-- I know I need some sort of steel leader and like a 9/0 or so circle hook?

Anything to help would be great! I can use the smaller rods for reds/flounder/specks with what is on them currently--

Any changes/recommendations welcome!

Thanks!!!!!

this time of year, the TCD can pay off at night. i've had best luck at the end of the dyke. there's a little beach on the left side at the end of the dyke that gets over looked and can pay off pretty good.

Wish I had some lights so I can go try that out!

Just a quick tip: steel leaders are almost never needed. I use 10# mono main and 30# Big Game Trilene leader and have caught sharks, kings plus all the inshore usuals.

Good for you man, I would have used power pro instead of the 20lb mono. Good luck, hope the weather cooperates

Your tackle looks good.you may want to add some gulp chartreuse swimming mullet.also learn how to tie some drop leaders out of heavier mono and braid.

Those gold DOA shrimp under a one of those popping corks will definitely catch trout.

For the lights you might want to add a small silver jerk bait like a crystal flash you zuri. work it very erratically and it'll catch a slightly bigger fish from the lights. Any small silver lipped jerk bait will work. Get one about 3 inches long with a shallow diving lip and just twitch it erratically.