Thanks JCG & Jean for the tips, I'm writing all these down so that I have an idea of what to do when I get there. Coming down the last week of April, my B-Day present to myself!

I fish on the copano bridge all the time with my 12yr old son we always did good on gulf shrimp glow, natural or penny with a 1/8 to 1/4 oz jig head on light tacle about 12 to 15 lbs braid and about 2ft of 15lbs flouro. lots of nice sand trout and smaller specks but its always fun for my kids and me to catch and release them, sometimes we fish until daybreak and sept. or oct. we also catch some pompano.

I usually fish with Mirrolures (classics). Chartreuse, white with a red head, or some sort of pink/chartreuse color, 15lb test fluro. The trout chase them from the edge of the light all the way in.
Just be super careful as you know. I swear my worst fear is falling off there. This past summer, we had a trout or a red on the line and a dolphin came through and latched on to the fish and took off about 60 mph. It was wild and almost cut my husband's finger off, with gloves on. It happened so fast, he could have easily been yanked off. When those dolphins come through we don't cast anymore lol.

IF you're looking to catch a huge black drum, you'll need a medium heavy rod with a reel that can handle at least 30# test line. You will need this tackle to keep the fish from going under or around the pier structure. Keep the fish out and away from the pier structure until the fish is pretty tired, then bring it closer.
Good luck!! Oh, it works best if you use 1/2 of a crab as bait with a large hook.

Thanks FL

go to Tackle Town, about 1 mile s. of the bridge in Rockport.
right on the highway, big sign.
Those folks are really helpful getting you started
down there.

Thanks for the info lite=liner!