Ok so my little boy has gotten into fishing. I like fishing too but never have bought any serious equipment. I am looking to take him pier fishing when we go to Corpus this summer, so I need a rod/reel and all the tackle that goes with it. Got any recommendations for basic stuff that isn't crappy? I can spend a couple hundo if needed, so I don't have to go dirt cheap. Thoughts? Recommendations?

Penn Battle 2 is a good starting rig, holds up well in saltwater and comes in multiple sizes

I will show my lack of knowledge here, can I use a saltwater setup in freshwater too or is the equipment different? I know bait and tackle might differ, bit can the rod and reel do both?

Almost all rigs can go salt or fresh. Some are sealed better and hold up in the salt better, but you need to wash all of them very well after a saltwater trip. Spinning reels don't matter as much. The penn battle suggested above is a good one for the salt. Learn how to clean them up after the trip and then remember to actually do it.

As fR as rigging, look up fish finder rig on internet - it is basically a salt water Carolina rig. An egg sinker above a swivel with 18-24" line with circle hook on the end. You can fish dead shrimp / cut bait - best rig for just catching fish especially with a young one who just wants to catch fish and isn't worried about targeting specific game fish. You will catch a mixed bag

Popping cork rigs are easy for the kiddos and keeps them engaged. Can throw just about any bait on there, but shrimp is probably the easiest

Fishbites are great for kids. No stink, mess, worrying about keeping shrimp alive, etc.

SanAntoneAg said:

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Fishbites are great for kids. No stink, mess, worrying about keeping shrimp alive, etc.

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And catch amazingly big fish - fishing the St George Osland pier was an every night excursion when the kids were younger ( while on vabcation there) - we caught a 38" red and a 36" black drum with a pink shrimp Fish bite on a fish finder rig