Need help planning fishing trip for tomorrow! In-shore, Brackish Water
Going on a fishing trip tomorrow on short notice and I need help planning my rigs!
We'll be fishing the south shore of Lake Pontchartrain, a brackish estuary connected to the Gulf.
The array of fish present is pretty crazy: alligator gar, bullsharks, sheepshead, bass, redfish, speckled trout, flounder, etc.
This is my first time fishing saltwater and I'll be taking 1-2 people who have never fished before...
Given the rods and reels I have, what array of setups would you bring to maximize the chances of catching SOMETHING?
My initial thought was putting a braid backing (20lbs?) and mono leader (20?) with a popping cork on rods A and B, using dead shrimp as bait. I don't know what hook to use.
I could probably do something similar with all 4 but I was wondering if I should diversify on my heavier rods? Though I don't even know if the lighter rods can handle a decent fish...
Any advice you have would be greatly appreciated!!!
Details--
Air temp: 48F, midday, Sunny, Winds blowing towards shore.
Reels:
https://imgur.com/a/c0ZNkNT
Rods/combos:
A - 7' : Medium - Fast Action : 8-17lbs : 1/4-5/8oz - baitcaster
B - 6' : Medium - Fast Action : 6-12lb : 1/8-1/2oz lure - smaller spinning reel
C - 7' : Medium Heavy : 8-20lb - large spinning reel
D - 7' : Medium Heavy - Moderate Action : 12-25lb : 3/8-1oz - large spinning reel
Posted Dec 29, 2025, 7:46 PM UTC