get proficient at a few simple knots. To the point where you can tie them in minimal light. To start check out: palomar, improved clinch, and perfection loop.
If you want to go with artificials and not fish live eels, sluggos are a viable option as are the real eels and ebens hog eels. Needlefish also serve to imitate good forage. Dont count out the humble black bomber and/ or the black mambo with silver sides. You want structure. Rocks boulders, grass, dips, etc. You'd be surprised what a group of 10 rocks will do to a beach that is pretty much flat.
Start on beaches before hitting up the rocks for sure, until you can get around rocky areas in the day time checking for places that seem fishy.
moto shes going to outfish you....
