Hey yall… I’m lifelong freshwater guy spending a few days near the Matagorda ship channel jetty’s in the near future. We’re going offshore but I get a day on the Jetty’s and beaches in the area as well. Redfish would be the target species. I’m looking for some suggestions on techniques I should be using to get bit. I’d prefer artificial over live bait if at all possible. Are popping corks effective when fishing from the jetty? Decent wade fishing areas close by? Any knowledge you’re willing to share is greatly appreciated if you prefer to send a PM I will keep it confidential. Never been there before and probably won’t get a chance to go back so your info is safe. Thank you!

Don't over think it.
This time of year it's all about the surf, if you get up, and the surf is flat like this, that's exactly where you need to be. Daylight first cut with a topwater can catch some real quality trout, when the sun comes up, move to the second cut with a plastic swim bait and 1/8 or 1/4 oz head. If you're going to keep your catch, a LONG stringer, lace up shoes and long pants will prevent problems.

Good footwear keeps coming up… definitely wearing lace up boots. Thanks for the tips Pat and the folks that have PM’d. Think I have a good arsenal put together for my bank fishing days.

These Hodgemans are what I wear, they won't pull off, and keeps shell and garbage out. Even the zip up wading booties are good, anything that fits over your ankle won't pull off.

FYI-Pat didn’t say it, but the LONG stringer is to keep the fish away from your body in case sharks get interested and decide to take a bite. Have a way to cut it free fast, if necessary.

Pat, Does Hodgman still sell those? I cant seem to find them online anywhere and have been looking for a while.

No clue, I've had mine a long time.

Heck of a trip… on my shore days I caught a bunch of big trout, but never managed to get a red. About a full cast out from where I could cast I watched a guide boat hammer them… at-least 4 over 20 lbs using live bait. Both offshore days were unreal… 6 man limits of snapper both days and a few barracuda on the way back in. Big seas on Saturday definitely proved to me that I don’t get sea sick. Thanks again for the PM’s and replies. My best bait from shore for trout was an underspin with a 5” paddle tail swimbait.

Nice, good eating right there. I never catch any keepers when I go to the gulf.