I'm new to fishing and would like some advice. I fish for reds and trout with a casting rod and reel. What type of line would be best to use?

Read "Suggestions for new fishing line?" thread below and you'll have more than enough suggestions. Personally, I use 10lb Power Pro braid with 17lb fluorocarbon leader for surf... All depends on the type of fishing you want to do, surf, pier, shallow, etc.

I'll be fishing off a blue wave boat. Mainly shallow water. Corpus area.

Pick one and fifh it

Get a spinning rod and reel...

If you need to "feel" contact with the bait/lure (i.e long casts in the surf with bucktails, lures, or bait on the bottom I'd recommend a braided line. There is a lower stretch to "feel" the lighter bites and taps and also lets you feel the bottom structure. If your fishing off a pier or Jetty (short distance drops) go mono filament for ease.

Of course since you are using the "Texas Standard" of a casting/conventional" I could be totally wrong since I fish spinning a flyrod exclusively. I dont know anything about casting and wont bother trying - Too "BASS Master" like - With the logo-shirts and corporate craziness....

I do have a couple of spinning reels but I could never get used to them, that's why I use casting reels. Why do you prefer spinning?

I prefer them because they don't backlash and they are a lot easier to fix/maintain.

Agree with both Somnipod and Windshark. Regarding the braid... I used to get frustrated with braid lines, but when fishing in the surf with lots of line/rod movement, due to wave action, braid is the way to go. Just feel the line and "feel" for the sutble stikes.

Also, spinning reels are much easier to troubleshoot and the line is very accessible if you shouls get any twist on the spool.

Also, very east to see the amount of line left on the spool when a large fish is "spooling" your line. It does take a fishing trip or two to get used to casting with a spinning outfit, but well worth it. Give it a whirl....