I’m looking to do some salt water pier fishing but live in east Texas. So I’ll have to travel to the coast. What I need advice on is what rod and reel and line. What kinda rigs to I run and what hook size. Also bait and time of year is best. I’m a big hog hunter and fish a lot of stock ponds where I’m at so this is a learning experience for me. Any help is appreciated Also trying to stay on na budget.

Fishing for trout under pier lights, your bass tackle is more than good.

It all depends on what you want to catch. If you are pier fishing in a bay it can result in redfish, seatrout, and flounder. Piers located on the surf can result in bigger species. I typically use a 6500 Abu Garcia reel on a 6’6” Ugly Stik medium heavy rod in the bay. I will bump it up to a 7000i Abu reel on a 6’8” 15-40 pound rod if I am at the jetty. If I am after sharks or tarpon I move up to an Avet 30/2 speed reel on a 100 pound class rod. If you just want to catch fish use natural bait. Fresh shrimp or mullet will almost always get a bite. I good 3/4 oz Gold Johnson spoon is a great artificial. Jig heads with plastic tails are also good. Good luck and let us know how you do.

A spinning reel with 10# braid, or a levelwind with 10# or 12# monofilament (or a 20 - 30# braid, if you prefer braid on levelwinds) will take care of your needs. Match the rod to what you're throwing. Be sure to give the gear a thorough fresh water rinse after every use. For big jacks or bull reds you may want to go a bit heavier. Bait and hook info is contingent on the target species. An idea of when, where, and what you're fishing for should get you a whole lot of responses. Dead bait, live bait, artificials; you should get the hot ticket on whichever you prefer. And good luck!

I would keep it simple. As mentioned your pond tackle will probably work just make sure you rinse it with fresh water after each trip off of the pier.

3/0 or 4/0 Khale hooks with a medium size split shot 8” above the hook. A good popping cork could also come in handy. Live shrimp catches everything including the trash fish. Live mullet is good too and doesn’t catch as much trash fish. Take a dip net with a longer handle.

I’ll be looking for reds and bigger stuff on the pier in Galveston on the sea wall. I guess I’ll go with something bigger and carry a lighter rod set up for fishing around the pier. I seen guys using long surf rods this weekend with big hooks. They were after reds. Me I just want big fish or any fish but catfish. I’ve had enough of them. Does live bait produce more over dead bait. And does jigging spoon by the pier do any good ?

I generally believe that live is better, but I have had times where I caught more bull reds on fresh dead mullet than live mullet. If you can catch a ladyfish (using a spoon or shrimp) then cut it in cross sections. Ladyfish is the best bait I have ever found for redfish, but don’t tell anybody. I spoon will give you a shot at redfish, trout, ladyfish, Spanish mackerel, and jack crevalle.

Guys I appreciate all the help I’m getting stuff together so I can make a trip down soon.