Any advice on how I can start? Just purchased some waders and would like to try it out. Have read that there are great spots around SLP, Sportsmans rd etc. but am thinking an easy place to start out is SWP to get some practice so I don't end up doing something stupid and dying.

Any other advice for a wade fishing newbie?

Life is way too short to wade in poot mud.
Don't be afraid to throw into knee deep water, remember the only thing a 25" redfish fears lives out in the deep.

Shuffle your feet. Stepping on a stingray will ruin your day (and week). If there is bait/fish in the area chances are stingray's will be there too. Don't pick up your feet and start walking. If you do you'll eventually step on one and get hit. Always shuffle your feet.

Get used to holding your rod under your arm while you re-tie, land fish, re-bait (if using live bait), etc.

Keep what you carry to a minimum. One rod is all you need. A stringer if you're keeping fish and either a bait bucket or a few lures in a bag you can put in your wader pocket. I do have a Plano 3600 that I tied a piece of cord to so I can carry it over my neck/shoulder. I drilled holes in it for water to drain out but most the time I never use it. A bag with some plastics, jig heads and maybe a hard bait or 2 will be plenty.

Plus one on minimizing gear. I like to wear a cheap fanny pack wading. Bottle of water, boga grip, pliers, and a nipper is about all I carry, along with minimal tackle as described above.

And don't think because it is winter that you do not need sunscreen.

Thanks all! These are really helpful tips

Long looooong stringers. If a shark wants it it's better to keep them further from you.

Thanks! Do you normally keep fishes all the way at the end of the stringer (by the float) or anywhere on the string really?

Read about the flesh eating bacteria, under stand it and carry appropriate equipment to help prevent it.
Long loose stringers is no joke. Let the sharks have your fish if they go after them.
Shuffle your feet to avoid stingrays.
I would avoid the San Luis Pass. If you go there, bring friends and wear a life jacket. The Coast Guard has made multiple visits in a single day rescuing people out there. Not all of them are successful.
Post pics of your fish but don’t give out exact location unless you want to share your newly found hotspot with dozens of fisherman.

To much info to type, but if you ever have a minute and would like to discuss some wade fishing options, and techniques. Give me a call.

Sounds like you're in Galveston, there are a ton of great places you can fish on the west end, and over the pass in Surfside. All of those turnoffs on the Blue Water highway lead back to the bay, the mud can get deep so you may get a bit messy.

SWP = Sea Wolf? You're really not in much danger if you stay away from the pass, if you wade the shore of west bay you'll be fine.

Also check out the state park, down 3005 before you hit Jamaica Beach (about a mile before you go from 4 lanes to 2). There are a ton of good wading spots back there, more if you're willing to spend a few hundred more bucks on a kayak.

There are also great fishing spots behind Jamaica Beach (go down bob smith on the west side, you'll see where people park on the side of the rode and shimmy under the barbed wire).

There's also Indian Beach -- you can drive to the back of that neighborhood (Indian Beach drive and Kiva Dr., I think). About 75% of those lots are vacant, I'm not sure there's a ton of fishing back there on the shore (at least, I never see people there when I'm in Galveston).

Sea Isle is west of there, go down San Jacinto all the way to the pier. If you look east, you'll see Snake Island and Snake Island cove, those are pretty good wading spots.

I grew up in Bay Harbor, but the bay shore from there west has changed significantly, you used to be able to walk from Bay Harbor to the pass and back wading without much problem. Now there's a ton of development there, I've been fishing Surfside (Drum Bay/Christmas Bay/Arcadia Reef). Those are all pretty accessible.

Check my post history, there are a few longer posts where I add a bunch of google map links (they're Galveston/West End focused).

Hope this helps.