Actually most guys just use spinning rods casting plugs which works quite well. The problem with bait is they catch a lot dogfish (little sharks) and horshoe crabs. Bait gets stolen a lot too. I like to go light and not wheeling a cooler and all these crazy rigs.
confidence is key. I remember the first time
I tried fishing the beach with a fly rod people were asking me if it works. I said it works cause other people have done it but I’m gonna find out if I can. That day I wasn’t feeling too confident staring out at the ocean feeling like an idiot casting a relatively small fly.
Certain fish are fish killers so they enjoy going after a baitfish imitation more than a chunk of bait suspended off the bottom.