I am going to be in Port Aransas the week of the 22-26 with my wife and daughters and they told me they want to fish off the bank for a few hours. What are a few spots with public access where we can do that? Is it best to just grab some live shrimp at a local bait shop and sit somewhere using those? What should we expect to catch—speckled trout, reds?

It all depends on the wind, and how the tides are moving.
NOBODY ever gives out X marks the spot on a public forum, sorry, but the prying eyes will over run a place quick.

If the winds are light, can't beat the surf or jetties, if it's pumping hard out of the SE (likely) then pick something bayside and sheltered.

https://www.austinkayak.com/HookNLine-Map-F130-Rockport-Wade-Fishing-Map-With-GPS/ACK61P.html#

The wall between the ferry and the city pier can be productive. The city pier is great if it is open. There is also a pier at the end of N Station Street and I have caught lots of fish there. The wall next to the jetty is good and I like to fish the jetty about half way up on the ocean side.

As an alternative run by dolphindocks. They have bay trips that can be fun and productive.

Let us know how you do.

Thanks y’all. I’m actually going out on an eight hour with dolphin dock on the 25th, and have been out on several trips with them. My wife has been with me a couple of times and she can’t handle the deep blue sea and no amount of Dramamine or patches has been able to help. But her and the kids still want to fish some from the shoreline. I’ll check out the jetties.