Live bait rigs for a beginner.

Hello everyone! Just wondering what the best ways to fish live bait from the pier and surf fishing? I have surf fished at fort Morgan and gotten into some reds on gulp shrimp and jerkshad. But I have no idea what the best live baits are or how to rig them. Could someone explain what they like the best? Shrimp pogies, alewives etc? And also how to rig them : Carolina rigs , free lining, fish finder style, as well as what hooks and weights? Thanks so much guys! Also what style and weight rod to use off the pier?

For the Ft we normally use finger mullet on a Carolina rig. Shrimp work well also and you can float them under a cork too. Early mornings you can do well with specs there with that setup.

Bull minnows are fine but we use finger mullet because they are free. Most of the time they run the surf at the Ft or there are several other holes where you can catch them. If you catch croaker or pinfish with your cast net they work well too. I'm always amazed at how big of a croaker or pin fish that a speck will eat.

Generally I start with gulp at the Ft and have my castnet close by and then catch bait. Its one of my favorite spots although I think half the ladyfish in Alabama live there.