Used Saltwater Fishing Tackle

I only fish shoreline.From docks,piers,shores or where ever else Im allowed (and not allowed). But I want to make the best out of my time. I would like to know what are the best days of the month to fish,and how can I tell when theese days are ??? And,cant nobody tell me anything when it come to artificial or live bait.I always use live or dead smelt or ghost shrimp.I notice that squid cut in the right shape or portion is good for certain fish.And once I was fishing with smelt,and a guy came next to me and threw out a "Berkley Gulp"fake bait.And he way out fished me.Whats up with that.Which one of these Berkley artificial lures are best for fish halibut.How do I hook em up,and how do I jig them as I reel em in ???