Hey FR,
Just to cover the basics of surfcasting (which historically causes all kinds of cyber fights ;P );
9' Graphite Rod (reccomend custom rods as most of the shelf rods are not good surf rods)
Reel with 140+ yards of 20# test line, spinning or conventional (quality varies by price and size)
Eels
or any kind of plugs/bait...
There also so many different variations on types of surffishing that you could go dizzy but the above is probably a common denominator of what will cover the most ground...
Then there is the money factor...