I'd say clean water, moderate waves, No salad to speak of and structure meaning holes, trenches or rocks which provide a break in the current for the fish to stack up in and wait for meal. Fish will seek calm spots like the edge of rip currents for example commonly referred to as the "SEAM". I personally think a 3 ft tide level on the outgoing tide is optimal for multiple species.
The other thing to obviously look for is forage food for the fish you seek. Sand crab beds or baitfish in the water. Either by seeing the actual bait or birds crashing on the bait. Also rocky structure which almost always attracts baitfish and also has mussels attached to it which is good for many species.
About the kroc, do i have to change the stock hooks? If so, what size?
No need to swap out the stock hook but be forewarned.... Stock hooks on a Kroc rust real fast and I still have not found a long shank hook that is the exact replacement. Hence...make sure you keep a little bottle of water in your car when you get ready to leave and promptly wash off your lures and reels if you have enough water. I have found that it is real easy to get lazy by the time you get home and even a few hours of salt water sitting on your gear will start a significant corrosion process that can not be reversed once it sets in.
Hey La...Potato, U should go to 1 of Bill Varney's surf fish'n seminars. His 1st one this year is 5/16/15 @ Crystal Cove.
Later, Homefish