If you are particular about your gear then do bring your own rod & reels. A word of warning though. I have heard that that are getting hinky about guys using braided lines. Might be best to play it safe and load up with some fresh mono before you go.

Thats good advice mate, thank you, i'll probably end up with a 30lb set up, with mono(!) Some British charter skippers don't like braid either, daft really, it's becoming popular on private boats, what end tackle is used? lures or bait? And is catch and release viable, or do the skippers sell the catch?

They dont really sell the catch as far I as know. But catch and release ussually does not happen taht often with legal size fish...

Hopefully they won't mind if i return my fish, all i want is a photograph or two, mainly blackfin tuna at this time of year is'nt it? Think i'll take your advice and go with a greys excursion 7ft 30-50 and abu 10000 with 30lb mono! And maybe a few lures, and whatever i buy in any tackle store i can find!!!!

Thats probably a pretty good choice. That way you can have your rod setup for casting and have a boat rod setup for bottom fishing as there will be a lot of that going on most likely...

I usually bring some of my own hooks to switch out on the boat rods. Something sharp like Owners or Gamakatsu's. It takes no time at all to re-rig the terminal tackle and results in a lot more hookups.

Never once heard of a party boat replacing hooks because they were dull much less seen them sharpen em.

I'm headed to Rockport this weekend and hoping to get some decent water from the Copano County Pier. Would this be a better bet than the Fulton Public Pier? Or Bob Hall? I've got two novice son-in-laws who need to catch some trout. We will probably fish all night. BrotherJones

I'll assume you mean the Copano Causeway, the old two-piece bridge that's now a pier. The causeway would probably be your best bet for schoolie trout. If the weather holds be prepared to get there early as the pier lights can fill up quickly and you will be forced to either try and share a light or fish the darkness between them til a spot opens up. If you're going to be paying for accommodations, another option would be a hotel/motel with a private lighted fishing pier. These can produce some decent results as well. Best of luck to all of you!

Thanks for the advice, maybe on Sunday night the lights won't be so crowded. We usually get to Rockport before dark and folks move in on us. lol. Any idea about the Fulton Public Pier being any good this time of year. Also, we will probably stay at one of the lighted pier places that have cabins. I hadn't thought of their piers. Any suggestions on which pier? Thanks again. BrotherJones.

The public pier in Fulton is "ok". I don't care much for it personally. Too much sandy bottom with not a lot of structure. The lights at night do bring in some fish though. Others my have a different opinion. If you decide to give it go, try the end of the T-head on the left-hand side.

As for lighted hotel piers; you really can't go wrong with anything along Water Street in Rockport. Laguna Reef has gone condo so your next nicest bet would be Hunt's Castle.
Balboa Courts is circa WWII and pretty ratty, but they do have cabins right on the water across the street from their pier. I haven't been there in a few years but the last time I was there, the pier was in fair to decent shape. Best of luck to you with whatever you decide to do!

Yeah I have to agree with Beer Snob on this one. You either can choose from Laguna Reef or Hunt's Castle. Any others your pretty much playing the lottery of either breaking an ankle or falling straight down a rotten board. I've had better luck myself off Hunt's Castle for whatever reason.