We have a place in Magagorda, TX on the Colorado river south of the intercoastal canal & north of the gulf. This gives us both E & W Magagorda bays, the gulf, and the intercoastal & lakes off it to fish. We'll take the Whaler out to about 70-miles for the meat and the Bay Scout for Reds, Trout, Tripletail, Flounder, etc.
For trout the purists only use lures or plastic touts under a popping cork on a lead head. We are not those. The more serious use live shrimp the same way. The people that need to feed their families on trout drift live croaker (winner).
For reds, in TX they are a little peculiar about overtly fishing with crab. Live shrimp works OK, fresh dead & cut mullet work great! When they are on, they will hit touts, spoons, empty gold hooks, anything. For the fall bull reds (~45" to 57") cut piggy perch or croaker are the ticket.
That 26" sheepshead is one huge fish. We caught plenty but nothing like that. Please tell me that you are as disgusted as we are anytime you bring up a gafftop or hardhead. Nasty!! I won't even cut them up for chum to go offshore.