Some friends and I are looking to go deep sea fishing. We've always gone out of Galveston, but last time the fishing was so so. So should be give Corpus Christi a try or would it be about the same?

Also, I'm interested in getting my own pole so I could have a better set up than thick line and a super heavy weight. Is there a recommended set up I should buy?

I don't want to spend hundreds of dollars, but a few hundred would be OK.

there are two TLD25's in the classifieds section. those would be perfect for gulf fishing. I started out with a TLD25 and landed a couple nice yellowfi tuna on one. theres two of them on rods for $300. cant beat it.

Port A is the best place(IMO) to go out for a serious saltwater trip

Thanks!

As for the rods and reels, I'm looking for something to catch red snapper, not tuna on (unless it would be the same for both and then you'll have to excuse my ignorance).

Those TLD25's will work well on tuna or snapper. If you're specific about snapper then might look at some jigging rigs that will allow you to use butterfly jigs, snapper slappers, etc.

BB, the 25's are just a bit big for most snapper, and you'll not need the line capacity the 25 has for most snapper fishing.
However, you're fishing the GOM, and you don't get to control what bites your hook, so the big reels are for the unexpected fish that comes along and wants to put the hurt on you.
a 25 will give you enough drag to pull up a big AJ, grouper, etc when they bite, and it will happen sometime.
Tres Tuna we were fishing for AJ's during the day and I had a bite, reeled up an AJ, suddenly the line started running back deep way beyond what the AJ was doing.
Line started rising and up to the surface came an 8-10'+ Mako shark guessed at 250 lb or so, with my AJ crossways in his mouth like a dog carrying a bone. He let go a bit later, got my AJ in, but if he had been hooked, the 80 lb rig I was using would have been a real fight with that biggy.
Point is, you use a big reel for the times you hook the unexpected and need the line or drag a bigger reel can provide.
A TLD 25 is not needed, but TLD 20 is good balance of size, drag, and line amount to do most GOM fishing. The 25 will give you more line to watch getting stripped off on the one big fish that does bite, if you need that amount of extra line, you'll be glad you have it at that time.

BTW, we have a TLD 20 single and TLD 20 2-speed and the 20 single has caught more Blackfin tuna than should be allowed by law. It's also caught plenty of snapper and solid AJ's, big kings and other fish out there.
Never had the spectra backing get wet on any of those fish, but if Beto's Wahoo had hit that rig, I'd be thankful for the extra line on the reel.

So, you'll have to forgive me again, but Port A is Port Aransas, right?

yes. and for the price of two TLD25's on Shimano Rods($300 for both)- you cant beat it.

here ya go- http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbt..._6_#Post3797910


if it were me- I would buy them. then turn right around and sell one of the combos on ebay for $200 and spend that on a decent iron jiggin combo(that is light enough to use for snapper fishing if need be)

Underwater Expeditions out of freeport, tx. Used to be captain elliots. Best boat available fastest and biggest in the gulf or atlantic. Tuna trips are the best!!

I would recommend Port O'conner for best offshore experience, unless you like crowds. Port A is diffently runner up If what your after is snapper, tld 20 is plenty. I use a 25 and 309's, the 309 is for when I get lazy, works great. TLD 25 is usally a wench overkill but has come in handy. Use as much weight as it takes to get it down, usually 8 oz. get it past the trigger and hold up to average currents.