We just got back from S Padre. I asked similar question in General Saltwater section...you can see guide recommendations there as well as my summary from our trip. I have two boys-16 and 13. We went with Craig Woolly and he was good. (www.spifishon.com) Keeps his boat at a marina/bar/restaurant called Parrot Eyes. Cool place in the middle of town. I think it was 5 minute drive from our condo. We fished from 630am-noon and action was non-stop for smaller speckled trout. Most of the bigger fish were killed by the freeze. More than enough room on the boat for 3 fisherman. We took plenty of water and food. Kept my boys interested. Ended up with 3 keepers and took them back to Parrot Eyes where they were cooked. Great way to end the trip. Craig worked hard and was good with the boys. Of course we wished we could have caught more keepers but most of the other guides at the marina also brought back only 2-3 keepers each. As for surf fishing, I do a lot of surf fishing in Galveston but never SPI. Water is way clearer. There are WAY more people to dodge it's almost impossible to stay away from the crowds. We caught a few whiting in the first gut on dead shrimp but that's it. I would recommend getting out from 6am-9am and calling it a day...that's when the crowds start showing up.