coming to visit topsail

[joeyo43]

Hi, as a lifelong pond and lake pan fisherman in southwestern Pennsylvania, I have little experience with saltwater fishing. We are visiting Topsail Island Aug. 9-16 and I am seeking information.
In past years, we vacationed in Myrtle Beach in August and I did some fishing from Apache Pier -- never got a bite using shrimp and squid.
At home, where it doesn't get as hot as it does at the beach, fish can be caught in hot weather, usually by working shorelines in the early evening. Again, for me it has always been mostly sunfish, bluegill and crappies, because they taste soooo good. However, large mouth bass also are available in cover n hot weather.
Please tell me about the whole surf fishing thing and if it is worth even trying in the heat of August.

Thanks,
joe from near pittsburgh