Hey all. I'm new, nice to be here. I've already picked up a lot of info from the forum. I grew up catfishing and perch jerking in the creek by my house, never caught much of anything real big. Recently have done a little bass fishing with artificial baits, pretty fun. I wanna do a little salt water fishing with my daughter who is 12. I've heard a lot of people say that croakers are the way to go for trout and live shrimp can't be beat. I also have a golden spoon and a few soft baits and jig heads.

Since my daughter is new to fishing do y'all think it would be better to start with some live bait or try to do some lure fishing. I'm thinking of fishing the jetties at Galveston or wading the south side of east bay for trout. Probably wont get down there for another 3 weeks, but its in the plans! Is wade fishing safe enough for a 12 year old?

I would start off with live Shrimp at the jetties or deeper reefs in East Bay. She may get bored pretty quick if she isnt catching anything on lures wade fishing. If you do wade start her out in an area like Fat Rat on the south shoreline. Good hard sand bottom and its shallow. If yall wade make sure she shuffles her feet and dress her in long pants so she does not get stung by jelly. That will ruin your day fast with a 12 year old.

Good luck

AQUA PIMP

I bet. Thanks.

Where is Fat Rat by the way?

listen to agua pimp, he is dead on.The seaweed is so bad so early , i would imagine jelly fish will be the same, and a man of war can ruin your day for sure.
shuffle shuffle shuffle.
live shrimp would be best...for here to start on.

I appreciate the advice fellas. I have what may be a silly question. I have, in the past, bought those little steel leaders from the saltwater fishing section that look kinda like a drop shot rig with a bunch of beads on them for fishing live bait in salt water. When I catfish live bait I use something that I guess is kinda like a Carolina Rig. What is the best way to rig up with live shrimp, croaker, mullet etc.? Do i have to have a steel leader?

When Im drift fishing shell reefs in 2 to 5' of water I like fishing with shrimp or finger mullet under poping corks. Start by rigging the shrimp 18 to 24" under the popping cork. Some times you may half to adjust the depth of the shrimp to you find the sweet spot. If they are feeding good 18 to 24" is a good depth.
Fishing the jetties a popping cork with Shrimp will work to but I prefer a free lined Shrimp. Also if I have enough current over a shell reef I prefer to free line a shrimp aswell. Free lined Shrimp are deadly!!!! At the jetties I like to position my boat close enough as to where I can cast a Shrimp withing 2' of the rocks and let the current do the rest. Keep the line somewhat tight as possible so you can feel the stike. About every 10 seconds I like to lift up the tip of the rod to lift the Shrimp up. This is where the Shrimp gets hammered LOL.
I dont like steel leader myself. I use 20lb mono with a number 2 circle hook. Barrel swivel to connect the leader to my main line and severl different sizes of split shots. The heavier split shot the more currrent you have. If the Shrimp keeps staying on the surface from the current add weight.

If you go to the jetties or anywhere around the ship channel attatch your anchor rope from the bow. When anchoring around the jetties make sure your anchor holds your position before you kill your motor. When leaving crank your motor to make sure it starts before pulling anchor. You dont want to be adrift around the jetties if you have motor problems. Rocks and fiberglass dont mix!
Use atleast 5 foot of rope for every foot of water you are anchored in. Thes ships can throw some nasty swells so you want enough anchor rope out that your boat can ride over the swells.

AQUA PIMP

Thanks. I actually just read that post of yours. Tons of info on here! I can't seem to read it all fast enough!

Thanks again.

X2 - good advice and info there.

Good stuff, pimp.