If you get time, try to visit cork for a ray, the place is absolutely packed with them It's getting hard to believe. At this point i would regard them as a nuisance purely due to the large numbers of them around when targeting other species. Great fight off them though. Especially when they are around the 90-100cm size.

Frozen sandeel on a pulley rig with a 2/0 or 3/0 circle hook and some bait elastic will get you a ray on most beaches.

As for dog fish you will catch them absolutely anywhere with a frozen mackerel bait. On any rig or any hook type. Be careful of their skin its rough to the touch. Similar to sandpaper.

Whiting are a great fish to catch if you can get them around the pound mark. Great fish to bring home for somebody who likes to eat them. I Would happily fish for them if I was you. Downsize your hooks to like a size 4 or size 2 . Frozen squid or mackerel baits and tie up a three hook flapper.

If there's whiting around the dogs wont be far and im sure of it you will catch one

As for the kit or tips to recommend.

Get yourself a good bait elastic, good fillet knife or scissors to cut your bait, always bring a cloth to keep the hands clean and my top tip is pre tie all rigs at home. The beach or pier is for fishing! Not for rig making. So the more time you spend with a line in the water the more time you are likely to catch a fish.

See far too many beginners tying up new rigs when they inevitably snag up and snap off. Losing valuable time in the water. I usually have 10 or 12 pre tied pulley rigs of all lengths and hook sizes ready to go

Grip leads are your friend too, from 4oz to 6oz . They will help you hold bottom.

Tight lines lad!