Surf fishing!!!! I'm probably not as experienced as the other guys here, but I did do a fair bit of research. Surf fishing has quickly become one of my new favorite hobbies, gives me time and space to think and relax when normally life's got me thinking about a million other things.
Anyways that's not what you're asking for.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZTq3K__BqQ&ab_channel=SaltStrong Here's a link to a tutorial on tying a dropper rig. I've had great success using two dropper loops for hooks and tying off the terminal end with a snap swivel (for quick changes of pyramid weights for varying surf conditions), and the other end up to your rod of course will have another barrel swivel.
I use circle hooks ranging from size 2 to 1/0, typically I find the smaller (size 2) circle hooks will give you better hookups with the smaller fish like whiting, but I've also caught a nice 30+ inch red on that same tiny circle hook.
I use 25lb mono sea green mono, no point in fluoro in my opinion since the water I fish (west bay/galveston area) is usually so stained anyways.
Pyramid weights... I've been throwing 3 oz most of the time since the wind is usually ~15mph or a lil less most times I get out there, and the chop makes it hard for 2oz to hold on the bottom.
Spider weights are good too, you can get away with a lighter weight, like 2oz and it'll dig in real well, but I've had some lost fish tryna lift the weight out of the sand (at least I think that's what caused the lost fish, let me have my excuses please!)
I'm lazy and have had great luck with fishbites shrimp flavored in orange or pink colors, and the clam flavored ones as well. I just cut off a tiny square and push it onto the circle hook. It's got me on whiting, the occasional redfish (including the 30+ one I mentioned above), and of course the occasional catfish. I've tried cut mullet (granted it was frozen mullet not fresh dead), but it seems to attract catfish just as often as redfish and whiting aren't particular to the cut mullet. The chunks I use are probably too big for their mouths anyways.
Let me know if you have any other questions or if this helps at all!