Hey Anglers, I am planning on heading to Galveston Bay to try my hand at salt water fishing. I've never done it. I'd like to know if I can use my aluminum boat and a beginner's guide to fishing the tides would be appreciated.

Are you stuck at Galveston? It’s a big deep bay that can get nasty quickly.
Do you have a painted trailer? If so it’s going to die a painful death after you dunk it in saltwater.
Game fish in the bay are fairly predictable but it’s more about water movement than anything.

I was looking at the area around Texas City, it looks to be protected by the barrier islands. I'm not set on anything, I'm open to suggestions. Where can I take a 14 ft. boat. I don't have to put the trailer in the water. What are those bayous and estuaries like?

Head south.
Port O Connor or Rockport give you a lot better water you have access to. Texas city is not exactly a sportsman’s destination. Don’t let the optics of the map fool you POC is just a few minutes further than Galveston.