I am also from the houston area. Welcome to the forum, and may you catch many fish. PS Walden Marina on Lake Conroe is a good place to bank fish or pier fish for crappie and bream. my friend does good on flies and artificials. get you a couple shakespeare micro graphite rods. they are 16 dollars at walmart. they are quality rods. I can make some jigs for you to try out if you would like. shoot me a pm and ill see what we can work out!