Hey yall, Im new to the forum. I am an avid fisherman, mostly crappie. My family is making our first trip to the coast this July and are staying at a home which has canals on 2 sides of it near West Bay/Jamaica Beach. Of course we will be fishing. The canal is about 10 fow. What are some good techniques, bait, lures, times to help me and my kids catch some fish. We will also have access to 2 kayaks while we are there. I attached a photo of where we will be staying. Thanks!

Night fishing under lights for trout will be your ace in the hole.

Thanks. Ive been seeing this. Should I get my own to just toss in the canal we will be fishing?

If the dock has lights by all means use them.

Use a small hook with a spit shot and put a shrimp out on the bottom. You should catch a pinfish. Cut the pinfish into cut-bait and throw that out. You should catch a variety of species including redfish. Be careful if you catch hardhead catfish. They can create a painful poke from a barb. Good luck and let us know how you do.

Thanks for the info! We will def try that. What lb line is good? Also, circle or J hooks better, and what size generally best?

I typically use 20 or 25 lb big game mono when I fish inshore. I use 2/0 mustard ultra point hooks for shrimp and squid. I will downsize the hooks all the way down to a salmon egg hook if I am trying to catch baitfish. I use a 2/0 to 7/0 for cut bait. Also try a 3/4 oz Johnson gold spoon.

the marsh to the east of Jamacia beach has some good wading. surf in that area can be good also.

I go every year, and I cast a crappie jig ... usually pearl ice, or some silver color jig while I have a shrimp out on another rod.
I catch flounder and Ladyfish mainly, but I have caught just about anything that swims on a crappie jig

Get some of these baits below and let your kids fish them under the lights. They will catch a trout on them, but they do damage to them so you will need a few.

swimming shad

Grab a hand full of big silver or fire tiger rooster tails. You will all catch fish. Just something about them.

Might give Capt Steve Gremillion a call.. he's great with kids. 713-819-6232