Heading down to Port A in about 3 weeks and will be hitting usual spots like Traylor Island and Quarantine Shores but what I really want is to catch my first ever Bull Red. We will be in my 22FT Pathfinder so what are my options and how do we fish (I've only fished with popping corks and throwing live bait in flats for reds). Appreciate any guidance - I've never fished Jetty's nor driven my boat around them- can u troll around them?).

Thanks for the advice -

live finger mullet/shad, or cut mullet about a 2" square is the biggest i would go, bull reds usually will not be caught trolling,people say use crab and shrimp, but i never have much luck with the 2, fish them off the bottom, using a metal leader will allow you to fish for sharks if u accidently hook up

I wouldn't troll but would definitely use spoons (gold/silver) and/or a good leader set up with live fingerlings if you can.

I've had success with DOA Shrimp and top waters around the jetties. After 10-12 casts and there are no bites or teaser shots, then switch bait/lures to something new.

I second the cut mullet/shad, preferrably fresh. Right now you can buy either fresh at most bait shops, or you can easily catch mullet with a cast net in the surf.

Are you guys saying to fish the Jetty's at port A? Do you fish the outsides of both due to boat traffic? Do I anchor up / how deep and distance from Jetty's? Cast toward the Jetty's?

Trolling is not the way to go and if you are not familiar with the current and boat traffic at the ends of the jetties, I would stay away. I have fished the area my whole life and when heading out, most of my friends get a little worried at first. You have the current ripping through the end of the jetties that is running down the channel, meeting with the semi cross currents of the gulf. This leads to some crazy big swells coming from all directions. If it's flat out, there will stilll be small swells but nothing to worry about.
Anchoring is the way to go but once again, you must be familiar with the boat traffic and you usually want to anchor semi close to the south jetty, not out in the open. Anchoring can be tough, you need hundreds of feet of rope and having another person familiar with throwing the anchor out is a must. It takes two experienced people to make it work. I have seen idiots attempt but only to fail and put them selves in harms way. Then they usually ask how we did it.....
If you know someone that is very familiar with that type of fishing, I would let him show you the ropes. There is no time or room for error. It can be stressful but can also be very productive.
Anchoring up with menhadden or mullet is the way to go and close to the end just off the south jetty would be best. I wish you luck but be safe. I'm not trying to frighten you but I have done it hundreds of times and there is always a nervousness that takes over your body until all is set, anchored and I'm fishing. I always take guys w me that are very familiar with running the boat such as catfishd or Jedi ninja from the forum. If anchor breaks free, you better be ready to have one guy get the anchor while you drive, if not, your boat will end up on the rocks quick... Good luck and if you have any questions, feel free to ask!

ive cauht them both sides, but most people fish away from the surf idk why. ive seen people catch king fish at the entrances of the jetties

I have caught many kings at the jetty entrance and you are correct about catching them on both sides but channel side on the edge of the rocks is instant hook ups. Count to 10 and get ready!

Have to agree with PiePuncher. I�d definitely stay away from the ends of the jetties if you�re not familiar with the area. I also live nearby and have fished around Port A since 1986. On the Port A jetty that forms one side of a ship channel, I�ve seen boats close to its end turned 180 degrees in a second or two by a combination of the swells and currents or by the wake of the oceangoing ships that frequently come through that channel, from both directions. And on numerous occasions I've seen fishing trawlers coming off the Gulf repeatedly blown sideways as they struggled through the channel in rough weather. This is the south jetty.

If you�re unfamiliar with the south jetty and are fishing from it, be aware that the rocks along the water line, particularly close to the far end, are as slick as ice. If you slip and fall into the water there, your chances of ever getting back onto the jetty without help are pretty close to zero. Over the years, more than a few have been bashed against those large jetty rocks and drowned. I don't mean to scare anyone either. Nearly every day plenty of people fish on the jetty and do so without any problems. It's just something I thought anyone unfamiliar with the area and the jetty might appreciate knowing.