You definitely need a license to fish saltwater. IF you are fishing from a pier you should not need a license. IF the water is calm, I recommend fishing the darker water near beach (deeper is darker) with a 1/4 oz redhead and a chartreuse 3-4" tail tipped with a small piece of peeled shrimp-early or late is best on incoming tide. I only use bass gear when doing this and catch trout, flounder, redfish, and ladyfish regulary with some suprise fish thrown in from time to time. Good luck