We have a similar setup - 12ft aluminum w/ 5hp motor and like to take it just offshore over the reefs. If the water is calm and clear, we get nibbles on nearly every cast and often have 2 fish on at a time.
We catch cabrillas and triggers. A plate sized trigger fish on ultralight gear is an epic battle. We tie on a 3way swivel, hang a small weight 2ft below, and loop a snelled hook off to the side to keep the hook out of the rocks and weeds. Bait with a piece of squid and you are set.
The reef fish have pretty tough mouths so we teach the newbies and kids to "break their necks" when they get a strike or you will not set the hook.
These fish are pretty spiny so i also take a tough fish cleaning glove and one of those pistol grip fish hook removers to keep from getting poked.
Good sized cabrillas will produce nice fillets for fish tacos
If we get a bunch of good sized triggers, we slice off the filets, keeping skin on. We drop the filets in boiling water for about 15 to 20 seconds and the skin peals right off. The meat kind of falls apart into strands. We use that to make fish cakes the same way we make crab cakes.
Its a lot of fun. Have a great time