north miami surf fishing

Question
I AM GOING TO THE NORTH MIAMI AREA IN LATE JAN TO EARLY FEB.COMING FROM NJ.THE STRIPERS WERE VERY GOOD THIS YEAR.ANYWAY BRINGING MY GEAR DOWN THIS TRIP WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT KIND OF FISH OFF THE SURF FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR WHAT BAIT I SHOULD USE AND HOOKS ,RIGS .ETC.

Answer
Sorry it took so long to write back. The Holidays are killing me and I'm going crazy ( I quit smoking again for the 4th. time in the last 3 days.lol) around here.
SUrf fishing...Is basic stuff. What you'd use in NJ is basically the same here. There's really no difference except that the water down here is crystal clear almost year round. Flourocarbon leaders is a must. Keep the rigs simple and basic. JAn-Feb is when we get some heavy shrimp runs. Expect to get on some Tarpon and SNook in the channels. Shrimp will be the primary bait of choice but you also have choices from the other bait schools of 'white' baits (pilchards, sardines, etc.) JAn-feb produces many species of fish feeding off the shrimp ( blue fish, snapper, grouper, mackerals. jacks, sea trout, sharks and so on and so on.)
Any thing can happen here during this time so make sure you have plenty of line ( 150-200+ yards) spooled on the reel. 50-60 pound flourocarbon material for leaders, 2/0-4/0 sized hooks, single strand wire for toothy fish, and weights of all shapes and sizes. Fish finder rigs, balloon rigs, free line rigs will all work. If you plan on doing any pier fishing, get a pier gaff. You never mentioned where in North Miami you'd fish but I wouldn't over look the Rickenbacker ( 2 main catwalks and lots of people so safety not a problem here) this time of year (south). Tarpon are hiding tight to the shadow lines waiting for you to free line that jumbo shrimp. Stay away from Haulover inlet at night (if you're planning on going alone and keep away from South Pointe as well at night.) NEwport pier is pretty safe at night and you have everything you need. Don't bother buying bait unless you don't have shrimp. Use a sabiki here and catch millions of sardines and pilchards.
Like I said, shrimp will be the main choice for bait but you  can use the "white" baits for those larger snappers off the bottom. Good luck and if you need more detail for each area, I'd be happy to help you out. Thanks for your question and happy new year.