Saltwater Fishing Rod/Reel

How much do you want to spend?

I'd look at a spinning rod/reel

4000 size reel.
7-7.5ft rod.

I love my shimano stradic.

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...

That's a pretty good budget.

I also suggest a spinning reel. There are a lot of good options. Shimano is always solid. Although 4000 is a bit big. A 3000 would be perfect or a 2500. I have caught everything from bass and speckled trout to big bull reds on these sized reels. Tie on some 30lb power pro. You can always use a Flurocarbon leader if needed.

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sedonna

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I have a sedonna reel that is maybe 10 years old and it's by far my favorite reel. Like someone said earlier pair it with a 7 foot medium action rod, and you should be ready for just about any kind of fishing.

Shimano reel. Stradics are excellent, Saros are very nice, Symetre are nice. They'll all catch fish and won't burn up. If you watch the sales, you can pick up a 7'6" Falcon at walmart for 65 bucks. Pair that with a $100 Symetre and you could almost get two in your price range.