New guy to surf fishing in Galveston/San luis pass/surfside

Hey everyone , new to fishing here. I've been out a few times to San Luis Pass, and once in Galveston, had fun the biggest fish I caught was a 52lb red on the west side of the bridge, was fun. But Im new and I have lots of questions so bear with me. I use spinning reels with 20lb test and the 10' has 30lb, just some academy stuff no pro stuff but it seems to do the job. I was wondering what fish are out there and what's the good times to go as far as early morning / day / sunset / or night, I've been out there all times and sometimes catch and sometimes none. It hits me thinking is it the time of the year or what? I'm just trying to find the times, what fish are out there. So if anyone can help me out since I'm new and I still don't know some of the fish names I catch out there. I found out the other night what I caught was a pompano, I'm gonna try cut bait next time I go out , I hear it works pretty good vs. Dead shrimp. Which gets stolen off the hook. So can anyone point me in the right direction?

Of course early morning is a good time.. The water isn't as hot so the fish come in shallow before the afternoon sun heats it up.

Late Sept - Late Oct are the best times to catch big fish!! Lots of black tips and drum..

Cut bait is great, harder for bait stealers to take than shrimp or squid. The 30lb pound line you use is that mono or braid? If its mono you should downgrade to 15 or so. Casts further, just use a shock leader in 40-60 depending on your weight.

Trout and reds are probably the most targeted fish in the surf but sharks, black drum, pompano, blue fish, whiting, jack crevalle (fun to catch, no good to eat), spanish mackerel, sheepshead, and a few others are all in the surf at various times.

You target times need to dawn/dusk and anytime the tide is ebbing (going out) or flowing (coming in).

I'd encourage you to incorporate more tools in your quest for fish. Live bait will improve your chances and is usually plentiful. Live whiting, croaker, mullet and shrimp. Also, get a good "bass" rig and chunk some artificials. Gulp shrimp, topwaters, soft plastics will improve your catch rate.

Learn the bottom contour of the surf and fish the guts (deeper areas between the sandbars). The later it gets the farther out you should be fishing. Then just before dusk target shallower waters again.

Target areas where birds are working the near guts and bait fish are present. Good luck.

Thanks guys, I have a few more questions. As for reading the surf and sand bars. What exactly do I look for? I've been out there and sometimes it's been lots of waves coming in to the beach and sometimes it's calm water. What do I look for in these 2 conditions? What is a sand bar? And as you said fish the guts, is the gut the space between as the waves come in? I know I sound dumb but I'm just trying to learn . Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Do you mean you caught a 52lb Black Drum?

Yes, on the beach front, the beginning of the a wave indicates where a sand bar has began, the wave then subsides into the deeper water of a gut. Becarefull and aware of the undertoads.

What...
You mean you have never heard of a undertoad?

Well I am new to fishing, and from pics I seen I'd say the 52lber was a bull red. I got some pics of it but can't post them from my cellphone. I guess I need to do more studying and I guess learn as I go. Just trying to find out what months are for what fish and if it's day or night is best. Kinds feels weird at night on the beach since it's pitch black oout there.

I just got back from a trip in Galveston. I couldnt buy a bite during the day......... but from dark to dawn....... i couldnt sit down!

Cool deal, is that due to the time of the year? Next trip out I'm gonna pick up some live blues and use them. So I'll see what happens , it will be my first time trying them so I'll see how it goes with them next trip out . I tried the pier off 53rd, last week, and no luck just alot of people there throwing lines where I had mine set out. Guess they scared them all off. And it was at night. Oh well I'll try different spots since I'm still new to the fishing game and where to fish.