DuckDown2013 said:

---

Get on the water and find the fish. There's plenty of walk-in wading spots. And wading is the most fun. I don't ever fish with live bait, but I have always fished with the gambler flap n shad and had good results. Shuffle your feet.

---

You're spot on but OP says that wading is out of the question.

No boat and no wading, in the Houston area, says pier or surf. You could try a place like mouth of the brazos or Sargent or SLP. I've caught reds on fish bites with a trout rod at Sargent. Not that I recommend that as your main bait

I picked up a couple fishing kayaks this week. Any suggestions on tackle/bait? I was planning on a popping cork and shrimp.

Honestly, that's what I would throw. Go to watermans for live shrimp. Just make sure you call ahead... they sometimes run out.

Not going to lie, the fishing has been pretty tough lately. I have not been out in Eckert Bayou in a while but early morning bite should be okay. Go outside the geotubes and look for a falling tide. The best fish I have caught out there have been outside the tubes during a falling tide. I have caught some nice reds and flounder behind the tubes but not this time of year.

Good luck!

Thanks!!