Saltwater Fishing - Inshore or from beach

Question
My family is going to St.John USVI on vacation. We have visited this island before and have spent many hours snorkeling. On this trip we want to take fishing tackle and try to catch some of the fish we've seen while snorkeling. We commonly see barracuda, mullet, permit, palometa, blue runners, small tarpon, grunts, snappers, needlefish, various jacks and the occasional small shark. Please provide the basics we need regarding rod/reel, line/leaders, bait/lures/hooks, and fishing tactics.  We fish often in ponds, streams and lakes in PA.  We plan to take our fishing tackle with us on our trip so we need to keep things to a minimum. Thank you.  

Answer
Whether it is the ocean or a lake, fish generally occupy similar niches in their respective ecosystems.  Barracuda are the salt water equivalent of the northern pike, muskie, and pickerel.  Tarpon behavior is similar to trout.  Grunts and snappers, sort of like smallmouth or largemouth bass.  I hope you are seeing the pattern here.

I do both fresh and saltwater fishing.  The similarities are much greater than the differences.  Just determine what role a particular species fills in the saltwater ecosystem, and match that to freshwater species you are familiar with.  You will find that what catches fish in fresh water, will also catch similar fish in salt.  

My suggestion is to bring along whatever freshwater taclkle you are comfortable with, and just remember to wash everything with fresh water after using it in the salt.  If you take a very close look at "salt water lures" marketed by various major manufactures like Rapala, Storm and others, you will find that many are simply fresh water lures that have rust resistant hooks.

Think of the area you will be visiting as a big lake.  Though the fish are called by different names and look somewhat different than what you are accustomed to, the role each plays in the sea could be compared to a species in a lake.  Fish for that species in the same manner as the lake fish, and chances are you will do well.  Good luck.