I don't live close enough to the beach to do a ton of this, so I can't spend a fortune.  I got no Kayak, so it is going to be all from shore, or from where I can wade. So here is the plan, I will take any input you all can give me.

I plan on getting this rod:

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20166-cat601986&id=0030677119183a&navCount=11&podId=0030677&parentId=cat601986&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=IJ&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat601986&hasJS=true

And Reel:

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20166-cat600380&id=0042811121641a&navCount=14&podId=0042811&parentId=cat600380&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=IJ&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat600380&hasJS=true

I am hoping the rod will be flexible enough to sling 4+bait out a ways, but stiff enough to land a small shark (If I get lucky).  My other slightly more expensive choice is the following rod and reel combo:

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_53015_151003005_151000000_151003000_151-3-5

I would load 300 yards of 40-50lb PowerPro tied onto This leader with a 4-8 OZ Spider weight.:

http://cgi.ebay.com/3-7-Finesse-Shark-Rigs-Pier-Surf-Casting-Leader-8-0_W0QQitemZ180267044403QQihZ008QQcategoryZ25564QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I am sure I will have the wife and kids at the beach during the day.  Since we already established that I can figure out how to catch a lady fish and other "bait", I figure I will likely have some fresh bait for that evening.  I checked the tide charts and it looks like high tide is going to be around midnight.  I figure I head back to the beach with the last hour of light and start fishing.  My <guess> is that at High tide in the dark, I should be able to throw bait between the shore and the first sand bar and still have a good shot at hooking into a shark.  I will probably just fish close to whatever Condo we stay in (Probably Emerald Dolphin next to Peg Leg Pete's) unless there is a reason to drive somewhere else.

Since neither reel has a baitfeeder, I will just reel in the slack and set the drag real light.  If I get something to take it, I count to ten, then tighten up the drag and set the hook.  Well that is the plan.  Like I said I will take any feed back I can get.  If any of you all ever come up to Tennessee, and want to fish for some Smokey Mountain or tailwater trout, let me know and I can return the favor.

http://www.combat-fishing.com/basicusefulrigs.html