Use a basic 'fish-finder' rig in the suds once you locate a slot or hole in the surf and you'll pick up fish. I was out playing in the surf over in Seaside... picked up several nice Flounder and a Redtail in the mouth of the Necanicum River.
I use a 12' Lamiglas with my Shimano Spinning reel loaded with 40# test Fireline braid tipped with some Seagar 6# Fluorocarbon leader. It only takes 2 - 4 ounces to maintain contact with the bottom and I rig up with Gulp saltwater or fresh baits threaded onto Gamagatsu small Circle hooks with the yellow or red coating on them.
The advice on Pirates is excellent advice... lots of fishy water along the coast... any of the points with close in off shore structure hold fish. Target areas similar to Pirates Cove like the Cove at Seaside... anyplace that has a decent break for Surfing will produce fish. Also target the Jetty fisheries, both day and night, they are some of the most fantastic treasures of our Coast. Nice thing is they are not easily accessible to Commercial Fishermen and they end up costing them too much gear to let them be profitable, thus the fisheries thrive, survive and continue to produce.
Remember the Golden Rule: 'Limit your catch, do not catch you limit' and we will all be able to continue to enjoy our sport for years to come.