i was looking for some advice for catching some red fish this next week at South Padre island, also i have an ugly stick 12 footer and 80 pound test and was wondering if that was strong enough for sharks.

look at my post on the open sltwater discussion, it is called "Galveston Jetties" i hope that helps you out.

One word for catching reds...wait two words.

Live Finger Mullet...okay 3 damn...lol

Put a steel leader on with a circle hook and hold on tight.
As far as bull reds, 3rd gut with LFM. Fishernoob's got it covered.

Be sure you have steel leader if you are targeting sharks.

Bull reds are being caught in Galveston on incoming tide using fresh dead shrimp.

Good luck and be sure to post a report.

Do peel the shrimp? Because like the shell keeps teh shrimp on the hook when u cast

Don't peel the shrimp. If you are concerned about smell, use Berkley Alive spray.

Tight lines.

Bull reds are about the easiest fish to catch when they are in the surf. I'd do a chunk of mullet or whiting instead of shrimp. Shrimp will get picked off really quickly. That rod is more than enough for a medium sized shark. If you are fishing for reds you are bound to hook a shark at some point. Cast it out there with a redfish leader and a 4-6oz spider weight and let it sit.

Also just so you know man, the fall is by far the best time IMO to catch bull reds. I am going next week so go figure, lol, but september is prime time!

x2 September through October is prime. You can catch so many that you'll get sick of catching them.

Anybody now if you can still catch bull reds now? I am going to Matagorda beach on the 9th. I will be only the jetties and in the surf if the conditions are right.

Call the LCRA Visitor's Center. The lady who works there can give you a fishing update.

I got into a lot of 20-25" gafftops fishing the small pier in the river my last trip. That was in September.

They are still catching them there no problem. Put some cut mullet or whiting or blue crab in the second or third gut. If you can get a hole of some pickle sized live mullet those would be good too.

I agree with Eddie. September thru November, surf is HOT with bull reds along the beaches up and down the coast.

They have a bait shop near san leon that sells finger size croaker. Reds and trout killed them I wish I bought more.