I am headed to gulf coast and I would like to carry a rod to get some fishing done while there. I have never fished down there so I have no clue what to carry. Any suggestions?

Make sure your reel is saltwater approved. Or else you might ruin it.  I am sure someone will give you some lure suggestions!
 

Jeff

what are you going to fish for?

At Virginia and Carolina beaches we use a heavy rod; saltwater baitcaster; and 20+ fluorocarbon line.

 

As for bait it is always sand fleas, shrimp or squid.

 

Learn how to find sand fleas and have some fun.

 

Squid is excellent, too.

Medium Heavy rod or heavy rod. Whatever reel you want. I like 30lb braid for saltwater. Buy live bait down there. Live shrimp are AWESOME, but are pretty tough to keep alive. The next bet would be cockahoe minnows. Either one, rig up tight line style like you're catfishing with about a 4ft leader and a normal hook (just your average J shaped hook) in a size comparable to 2/0 or 3/0 . Depending on current and wind, you'll be looking to use anywhere from 1/2oz weight to 1.5oz weight. Hook cockahoe minnows through the mouth and cast out. For live shrimp, there is a small area behind the head to hook them through. Some people might tell you to use a bigger hook, but it will weight your bait down and not let them swim very well.

 

Your can catch anything fishing from the shore in salt. Specks, reds, flounder, tarpon, drum, parrot fish, etc etc etc.....

 

 

and I highly recommend cockahoe minnows because they can survive pretty much any conditions (people joke and say they can live in a used toilet bowl   ). Also, they are cheap.... in south LA they go for $.25 each.

Being primarily a sw fisherman I know exactly what I'd be taking and what to use. Saltwater fishing is not the same every where, I have no credentials in that area of the gulf.  I might suggest doing an internet search as what the " hot" bite is now, what area fishermen are using.