(Part 2) Top products from r/SurfFishing

Hello! I'm pretty much in your same shoes. Sorry if you've already got your gear in order, just tossing out my research in the hopes of helping you or others who may find themselves here. : ) The tone may drift into the general from time to time.

I've been surf fishing for only a month now, but have been successful enough in my trips to keep the dream alive as I continue to gain experience. My current gear is a simple 6' catfish rod running 15lbs braided line tying into a Carolina rigged fluoro leader running a size 6 hook. With this setup I'm able to get bites and pull small surf perch and similar sized species.

Having satisfied the exploratory phase of surf fishing, I can say that I love it. I've decided that I require (at minimum) 2 rod/reel combos to be happy on the beach. One for my long casts and another to fish the troughs just 10-15' off the beach.

While I'm completely unaware of your budget or where St Andrews Park (NW Florida?) is located, I'll share my findings with you... Hopefully they'll give you some insight into what you're looking for.

My location: Bay Area, California

Long Shots...

Rod:
http://www.amazon.com/Shakespeare-Two-Piece-Bigwater-Spinning-11-Feet/dp/B00144CGAS?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=ox_sc_act_title_2&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

I may consider the 12' option here as well...

Reel:
http://www.amazon.com/Okuma-Speed-Spinning-Orange-Trio-55S/dp/B004F1GTJ6?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=ox_sc_act_title_1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Main Line:
High (~20-30lbs) test braided, choose your poison. I really am enjoying braided line. The tactile response is unreal and I find it cuts through the seaweed quite nicely. I lost a few riggings until I learned some specific braid knots... do yourself a favor and learn a few rated for high strength with braided line. And as always, wet your knots before cinching!

Rigging:
A High/Low rigging containing 2 droppers connecting 1/0 baitkeeper hooks terminating into a 4-6 oz pyramid sinker. Something clear, ~20-30lbs test. Do not forget to include some shock absorbers or you'll be losing lures all day.

An alternative to this is plugging.

Targets:
For me fishing out of the Bay Area, CA; halibut, stripers, leopards, 7gills, etc.

Bait:
Tossing out live anchovies (hooked through both lips), clams, squid, chicken livers, etc.

Versatility:
I would use this setup for both beach and pier fishing. This would be great for pulling in the sharks and rays caught from the various oceanic and bay piers.

Short Casting...
I've not quite settled in on what I want here... my 6' catfish rod has great action to handle the 3/4 oz - 2 oz of weight I put on my Carolina rig, but I find fighting larger swells with a 6' rod to be annoying.

Also, I'm trying to find a good all around pole for both light surf and some bass fishing. I want more height for surf, less for prowling around a shoreline / boat. The plight of many fishermen, I'm sure. lol

Rod:
I'm likely going to end up with the 8' version of the Shakespeare Bigwater listed above. It supports 3/4 - 4 oz of casting weight which is the sweet spot for short casting the surf.

Reel:
Same story here... Likely to end up with a the 30s version of the Okuma reel listed above.

Main Line:
10-15lbs braided line.

Rigging:
Carolina running 3/4 - 2 oz of weight (pending surf conditions) on ~24" fluoro leader (10lbs test) terminating into a size 6 baitkeeper hook.

Small kastmasters or spinners can also work here.

Targets:
Surfperch mostly. There are a few species that you can hook up on, but they all eat the same bits so... : )

Bait:
I've tried a few options ranging from the ever present sand crabs to rubber worms. I find that in my area, the most hits are coming from Berkeley brand saltwater sand worms. There are similar sand worms that the fish are naturally feeding on. That combined with the smell enhancements to the worms makes for very tempting treats.

Versatility:
This smaller rig can be setup with a floating high/low rig for fishing the top 5-6' of water around the pilings when pier fishing.

Welcome to the fellowship! Just as a note, this sub is pretty quiet lately, so if you don't get what you need here, head over to /r/Fishing and ask again. I throw plugs rather than bait, but let me recommend a couple of books: Fly Rodding Estuaries, by Ed Mitchell, and Fly Fishing the Striper Surf, by Frank Daignault. Yeah, they're fly books, but I think they do a better job of explaining shore fishing tactics than any other sources I've found. Also, StripersOnline is an excellent resource, and can help you connect with people down in your area. Have fun!

Edit: Also, check out this pdf.. You may not be as far from the fish as you think.

This book ("The Sea Forager's Guide to the Northern California Coast") covers a bit about bait fish, different types of bait, etc...but aside from that it is hands down the best book I've found related to the california coast. This dude is like the Jack Kerouac of fish - it's very stream of consciousness and absolutely exceptional.

Kirk Lombard is really intense about the less popular fish on the coast - Herring, anchovies, Night smelt, monkey face eels, midshipman, etc.

He apparently holds the state record for monkey face eels - quite the acheivement haaha

Here is what I purchased:
Eagle Claw Snap-On Floats Assortment 12pc
Water Gremlin Removable Split Shot Pro Pack
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001AMGGBO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Fishing Lure Kit 234pc
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0785S5MMY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
and the EAGLE CLAW ROD

I will definitely update when it all comes in and let you all know how it goes. Can't wait to use this stuff!

Amazon link

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077P4GYBX/

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000RZFO36/

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073CQ4238/

I just made some and used these, I caught crabs on them. You will also need some cutters to cut the cage material and some crimpers or needlenose for the crimps.