re: Saltwater Fishing Rod/Reel

I moved to Houston several years ago, bought a boat, couldn't find a reasonable place to store it and keep it covered, so it resides in New Orleans. That said, part of my decision to keep the boat there was that the fishing in a boat is way better near NOLA and that the trout fishing on Galveston Beach is actually pretty good from Mid-May thru August, as long as it is calm. You can also do some bank fishing near the jetties and passes year-round. I'd go for a 7' medium action spinning rod( Falcon, St Croix, Shimano make good ones) and a Shimano 4000 series(or that size/ different brand) top drag reel, and resist any stupid options. This should be short enough to fish baits under cork, on the bottom, topwater, or for long casts near some of the passes. I'd say $200-$300 should do you quite well, JMO...