Looking to go for Red Drum

[quote author=Haywire link=topic=2943.msg26722#msg26722 date=1363913317]
You would do well to go on the link at the bottom of Pier#r's replies---he is an excellent shore guide and could be a big asset for you in your search for the bull red if you can catch him with an open date.
[/quote]

True dat. You're not going to get a better shot at it than taking HW's advice.
Especially since you said:

[quote author=SconieBassHunter link=topic=2943.msg26706#msg26706 date=1363904978]
I'm not worried about having to spend a little money to get this to work too.
[/quote]

Spending a little cash in the right place is a small price when it comes to scratching a bad itch.

Back in the fall i caught quite a few reds and one good one on gotchas at west beach pass,,,,and also used finger mullet on a circle hook casting into the current

Twitch baits in the goon.. That is all

So what I understand so far:

-Live and cutbait on circle hooks in a carolina rig fasion
-Twitch baits in the lagoon (from shore?)
-Gotchas (what size and color?)

Anything else I should consider?

Follow #r's advice about the big silver spoon - bout 4"-2oz maybe...? Lotsa fish that'll eat 'em. White w/ red head gotcha is a favorite. Won't hurt to have a couple silver or gold ones. Personally prefer the smaller gotchas - not sure of weight.

The little place across from Wells Fargo when coming into GS called Twice the Ice gives best bang for buck on ice. Self service 20lb bulk for $2 or 16lb bag for $1.75

You left out calling Pier#r. He can get you off to a start that you can't do for yourself. ---And, no, I'm not kin to him---I just know the value of a good guide.

Bull reds are a BI catch for me while mackerel fishing but slots are yum. :eat: I would go with Pier#'s original advice and use light gear in the surf for whiting and pomos and the occasional red. You will get a better fight on lighter line IMO :headbang: But for a bull dead bait in the bottom at west pass during the fall is decent also. And I would suggest releasing the monster to let em' fight another day. :)

I'd pay for a guide but my dad is already paying for a 6 hour offshore trip. Otherwise the guide would definitely be in the cards for me. College student running off of a tight budget. I'm willing to spend some money on tackle and that's about all I've got. Next time I come down I'll consider a surf guide but this time around I'll need to go it alone. Thanks for the solid reference though