Surf Fishing Help

[nysteelhead]

After a constant 4 feet of snow on the ground this winter in New York I'm bringing my family to Topsail at the end of April to spend two weeks on the beach. I'm an avid salmon and steelhead fisherman up North and I really want to try some surf fishing. Can anyone give me some pointers....rigs, bait, technique...etc. Any particular fish active at the end of April in the surf? Best time to fish? Low Tide? High?

I'll take any free online lessons anyone wants to offer. Thanks in advance.