To add to my post above, the fish are here, but with the weather so cold and the wind off the charts no one is really out there fishing. So, lets go a little further with the rig i usually use in the winter.
The best one I found is the hi - lo rig with a 3/0 or 4/0 circle hook. I make my own rigs so I can change the height if the hooks as I see fit. Most of the time I tie the lowest hook about 6 to 8" above the sinker and another 18 to 20" above the first hook. This way the bait will be at different depths. I will also alter that to bring the upper hook closer to 3' above the first hook.
The bait of choice in the cold weather would be fresh clams but they are hard to come by so the next best thing would be salted clams cut into small bits just enough to cover the hook. It might not seem like this is enough especially when most are use to putting on the whole clam but it is winter and the water is cold and the fish do not want to exert to much energy.
So I hope this helps, as I am waiting for the wind to stop and the wind chill to get closer to what I am use to seeing in my freezer at home. I have my beach buggie pass already and it seems like this year the numbers are all over the place I have a very high number in the 4000's; nice shade of purple too.
Hope to see some of you out there on the beach soon. We should start a new club the Polar Bear Beach Buggie Association.
Happy Catching
Paul