I've already learned a ton and saved myself some money too. Keep the advice coming!!!

well you've got some good advice so far... I've been fishing Galveston since I was a kid... I wouldn't go and get a big long surf rod.... all you need is a 6'6" rod ... medium or med heavy or even a spinning rod... something that is rated for around 10-17 lb. test line.....

I have a little wading belt that holds a few plastic boxes... and a fish basket... don't use stringers ... if you have to get them far away from you... the sharks sometimes try to steal an easy meal....

If the water is pretty clear i like to freeline with live shrimp... if not just use a popping cork, with the shrimp a few feet below....

I make the mistake of using too light of a line... I think you need at least 17 lb line out there...

And with the heat coming in... be sure and put fresh water in your bucket every hour.... and if you can put a small amount of ice in the bucket to cool the water a bit that will work wonders..

Shrimp are pretty high... so sometimes I just buy croakers or get a small cast net... you can catch plenty of bait as the tide comes in.... for croaker and minnows use a #2 circle hook....

I'd probably go with 17 lb line.. at least .. I had 20 broken last year...

Those big trout are sneaky.. you think you have them whupped but they fight hard in close...

And I'd take a few lures... gold spoon, silver spoon, gulp shrimp on a little jig head....

Pack of flukes or bass assassins... and you should be good... it's not a complicated style of fishing.. but it sure is fun...

If you see a lot of bait around...your in a good spot.. no bait.. no fish....

early you might try topwater.. like a spook jr. or a top dog mirrolure...

most important get a tide chart... you need to be there when the high tide is coming in.. usually that is the best fishing.. after it gets hot get there at daybreak and thru about 10 or 11... got to get there early to catch em....

good luck

@eycOr....Thanks for the link to the shark fishing site. Their surf fishing manual is a great resource for newbies or those like me who have been away from the surf for too long.

My pleasure... I actually printed that entire site out and put it in a binder... Back when I thought catching sharks would be fun in the surf lmao!