May Surf Fishing

What do you recommend for surf fishing in May? What type of bait or artificial lures? I am planning on using some fresh shrimp and fish bites. I also like Gulp shrimp and swimming mullets.

I want to avoid the catfish, which I caught to many of last year.

Try sinking or suspending stick baits and twitch baits for specks, reds, bluefish & ladyfish.
IF you fish on bottom, catfish come with the territory ;-)

Try the Pier if you have not done so May is Prime Time for Spanish and Blues as well as Kings A simple Bubble Rig should catch all you want and it's very easy to fish If you have never experienced this it will be one you won't forget

I did fish with a Bubble Rig last August. There was a guy who was really catching fish on it while surf fishing near me. Once I bought the rig and tried it, I did not have any luck. It was fun and I will probably try it again this year.

What was he catching?

I am not sure what they were. I just started surf fishing in 2014 and can't identify all of the species. The fish were schooled up and breaking the water in the shallow water fairly close to the beach. I tried casting a few different lures into the school, but could not get a bite.

Sounds like Lady Fish