Go to ' myfwc.com '

that is the site for the florida fish and wildlife commission.  It has all the info you need as far as licenses and costs, you can even buy them online.

A good all around bait to soak off a beach is  shrimp.  you can also use frozen sardines, squid or mullet.  If you get a ladyfish or catfish, cut it into chunks and use that.  fresh bait is always better than frozen.

Good luck.

If you're down here May-July, you'll be able to see tarpon rolling off the beaches. If you can get a large pinfish, 4" crab or cut ladyfish or catfish tail may get you a bite if you can get it out there.

thanks, could I get some more info out you?  What size circle hook should I be using? 

I'm just a die hard cat fisherman from Kentucky that has never fished the surf... But that is going to change this summer. So that is the reason for all of questions, and more than likely I will have some more to come

There has been alot of viewers for this post but only you and another has  gave info... I don't understand its not like I'm asking for everyone to tell me where their honey hole is HAHA.. I just want as much knowledge for what I'm going to be doing thats it

Kune,

You'll want long, heavy rods.  Most surf rods are 10'-12'+ with line wts of     15-30, 20-40  with reels that hold at least 300 yds of 20-30# braid or mono.

   When I fish from a beach, I take 3 rods.  An 8' 10-20 casting rod with a Pflueger Trion 66 that I throw topwaters, swimbaits, bucktails or jighead with shrimp or gulp baits. 

When I catch something, I can chunk it up (if not an illegal out of slot/season gamefish)(again check 'myfwc.com' before you come). If not, frozen squid or sardines work.

I put that natural bait on my 8' StCroix Tidemaster 15-40  with Okuma VS-80 spinning reel.  

   I also bring my 9 wt fly rod just to change things up a little.

I usually put on 4-5' of 40-60# flouro leader with a 2-3 oz egg sinker as a slip rig. (Tie leader to main line with uni-uni, slide on a bead, slide on sinker, slide on other bead, tie hook on with loop or palomar knot.I use beads above and below the sinker to keep it from getting stuck on knots.  Use a 4/0 circle hook to start. I also have 6/0, 7/0, 8/0, and 10/0 depending what's biting. Also have wire leader (40-80#) just incase sharks are biting.

Cast out the natural bait and set it in rod holder and continue fishing with other rod.

To summarize:

2- rod/reel combos.  1 to keep working, 1 to let sit out with bait/circle hook

40 and 60 # flouro leader, beads, 1, 2, 3, 4 oz egg sinkers, depending on gear and tides.

40, 60, 80# wire leader

1 1/2" x 3' PVC cut at angle on 1 end to go into sand for rod holders

Pliers, dehooker, gloves, extra hooks in various sizes

Make sure if you are using cut bait, you're not amongst a lot of swimmers, check with actual city by-laws to check legal distance.

GOOD LUCK!!!

Just got back and I guess I had a good time surf fishing, after I finaly got away from them catfish, I caught a few 3 foot black tip sharks.

But one of the days we took out a private charter for a full day trip and burned em up!!  Caught limit on everything!!! and let a bunch go 

The fight of the trip was for sure with out a doubt was my 35-40lb amberjack!!!