Hello Fishing People

[jedonland]

Hi. . I've fished since I was a kid, the vast majority of it was up North, Illinois, Wisconsin, so Florida saltwater is a whole new experience. Bait, tackle, tides - all the different species, there's a lot to learn. When we first moved here, about 7 years ago I fished the bridge at Matanzas Inlet with a friend and caught a big sheep's head. The other fishermen told me it was a good fish to eat so I put it in a plastic bag in the hatch of my SUV. That thing flopped and flopped for the 30 minutes it took me to get home. After that experience I've had a hard time keeping anything I've caught - everyone gets thrown back.

But I do have a few questions. What's the best bait to use for surf casting? Do I have to throw the bait out very far? I prefer to fish when it's not too wavy and that seems to be earlier rather than later, and I guess a west wind would be helpful. Also, the water temps in the Intercoastal are pretty warm now - does this make a difference for catching? Thanks for any insight you might have.
J