Will be heading to port a the weekend after Easter, we have a fishing charter Saturday. That Friday and Sunday I want to fish off the jetty or beach or whatever I can.. Don't really know anything about it.. I fish for freshwater blue cats every weekend in dfw so I'm thinking maybe rig the same way?? 2-3 ounce weight 18" leader and circle hook?? I'll be buying a spinning reel set up this week, I'm thinking 12'? Any help would be greatly appreciated thanks!

It will depend on what the weather actually does. If the wind dies down, the jetties will be going off. Reds can be caught on the bottom with bait.
Spanish macks will be everywhere, need a steel leader and a 1/8 or 1/4 oz spoon for them or a gotcha plug. Something small, they will be eating rain minnows. Jacks will be cruising the rocks early.

If you insist fishing bait on the bottom, bring a ton of gear. The rocks aren't very forgiving.

I might be out there early before the crowds if the wind dies. 24" single strand wire to a lure on an 8ft rod with a 5000 spinning reel.

What kind and size of hooks do y'all recommend??

We fish Port A jetty Oct - Mar and generally use no more than 1/2 oz sinker but usually less depending on the surf. Use standard 1/0 hooks but circle hooks are find. Sinker is an egg (hole in center) just above a double loop knot in the main line. I then loop a snelled hook through the loop of the main line. The jetties at both Port A and Packery will eat up hardware quickly due to hooks snagging the grow the on the rocks so the simpler the rigging the better. Our line is 30# test. Don't want to chance loosing a fish with lighter line. Can generally lift any for with 30# line but use a net for reds and black drum. The line will chaff on the rocks as you bring in fish so it should be checked and the chaffed section cut out and re-rigged.

Another way to fish the jetties is to slip the egg sinker on the main line and tie the hook directly to the line. We have caught large reds, black drum, sheephead, mangrove snappers, mackerel, etc. with this setup. Save your swivels for the surf and other rock free locations.

If you don't know the jetties can be dangerous. Do not walk on the black or orange stuff on the granite blocks. Many have been carried off the jetties so just a word of caution.

Now if this hasn't scared you away - go fishing and enjoy.