JackM Loc: North East Florida

There are tons of videos on YouTube about surf fishing in the Pan Handle. You can learn a lot by watching them. One thing that I've learned is that the fish you catch from shore are generally small. I have downsized my hooks since going down the same path that you are on. Mostly I use 1/0 circle hooks for bait. If there are bait stealers around I can go down to a size 8.
I also started a website a few years back. You may like some of the articles.
https://ameliafishbites.com/

graybeard49 Loc: Bradenton, fl

Always ask questions of people fishing near you. you will get some of the
best tips and advice. Most fisherman/women are friendly. Good Luck Tight Lines

Zimee Loc: Cleveland Ohio

I went to a pier and started talking to the locals. Some turned out to be great guys and showed me how to fish saltwater. After a few days I stopped and got a six pack and a box of wings from Publix’s and the next couple of months vacation was fish on and good friends! Good luck

djpritchard Loc: Venice Florida

Shrimping - ya gotta have a boat- not sure if you have one. Get yourself a cast net and don’t even attempt to toss it until you get it down half way decent, practicing in your backyard. Plenty of YouTube videos to watch. You’ll be better off getting loved fin creature, research getting mud crabs and sand fleas. For mud craps get some vinyl coated glows, hit low tide and flip rocks. $20 or so sand Olea rake and work the shore.

Keep us posted as how things are going!!!

Harris T. Fudpucker Loc: Lafayette, Louisiana

Unless you plan to go out a distance from shore, most of the baits and rod/reel combo's will work for most of the salt water, living in the brackish water. Peacock flounder is one of those most 'sort after' fish. Find the fish you want to catch, and look up where most are caught. Good luck.

Uncle_T Loc: Georgia

I don’t fish salt water but for a few times, if you don’t know anything about salt water fishing ( like me) I would just say salt water fish have teeth, spines and tails that can hurt you, so just be aware of that. Go out there and throw some shrimp and you’ll find out what’s there. I caught too many catfish some stingrays, puffer fish are so stupid they will bite the same thing right after getting caught with it, and I caught some sheepshead which I liked. You can also pull crabs up till they reach the surface and then they let go

Norman Havens Loc: Port Charlotte Florida

Good evening BC that's all good information.
I'm down in southern Florida.
And yes shrimp catches everything.
My advice is to fish with small light hooks and weights with small pieces of shrimp.
Around bridge pilings sea walls and docks
Use the small baits with bigger tackle to
Catch some larger fish.
Another way I've learned an area is to take a day and hang out on the Pier.
Most fisherman will talk about a catch they've just made.
I learn more watching and listening.

brandon90210 Loc: Florida

Use Live or dead frozen shrimp from Bait & Tackle shops, sometimes Gas stations and Publix sell frozen shrimp as well. Now that you have the bait, go to the Beach/Surf, since you are in the panhandle of Florida, I can only imagine that if you drive further south to the beaches, you will also have fishing piers. Set up a basic carolina Rig with sinker, leader and hook and you are good to go. Rig the shrimp on the hook, cast it out there whether in the surf or in the pier, and you are most likely bound to catch something nice. Buy a know your fish guide at bass pro shops and learn your fish, this guide will show you times and seasons for these fish to come around, what they eat and how to catch them etc...
Good Luck & Tight Lines...In the fishing world that means "Break A leg"