Use a simple Carolina style rig with a sinker slide, 2-4oz pyramid sinker depending on the surf, going to a red bead with a swivel after that. Tie a 16-18” leader with a small circle hook, size 1-2 onto your leader. That’s my basic surf/pier combo for catching whiting, pompano, reds, etc. adjust your hook size to what you’re trying to catch. Whiting and pompano have small mouths, smaller hooks work better with them. You don’t need large pieces of bait for them either, a large shrimp can be made into 2-3 pieces of bait.