I take my family to Port A every year and we stay in a condo on the beach. I don't get to go out on a boat, so I just fish in the surf where the family is playing. I always catch alot of small perch and such, but I've always tried to catch something bigger to show off to the family such as a shark. Do I just put some cut bait on and walk to the second sand bar and throw it on bottom or use a cork or what? Any advice would be well appreciated....thanks.

You'll probably need to get to the beach early, like right at dawn for the best results.

Use cut bait and set it on bottom in the second gut early but as the sun comes up you need it to be in the 3rd gut. Use an 8 oz spider weight to hold it in place. Be sure you have about 4ft of steel leader.

Try topwater lures early and late (dawn/dusk).

In the area around the condos there will be lots of people in the water and this can push the fish into deeper water.

Invest in a 12 foot Ocean Master from Bass Pro $100ish.. and a Sealine 20SHV or 30SHV via ebay.. The SHA is ok as well.. $60-80ish or they are $110 new.

Spool it with 15-20 pound mono, pref. 15#.

Buy this rig if you don't want to make your own..

http://double-d-extremetackle.com/drum_rig.aspx

All you need now is a 2-4oz spider weight, depends on the surf, current, weeds, etc.

Slab some cut up stingray on the hook and you are golden.

Thanks for the replys guys. I have a better idea of what i need to do now. I appreciate it.

I'm heading down to my new condo at the dunes for the first time next month and have never fished at Port A before, anyone know a good spot within walking distance of there that I could catch some nice fish from the beach or piers?

One more question guys. Can you buy stingray at the bait shops there in port aransas and is there a specific part of the stingray to use or just cut it up and slap it on the hook?