I know you're havin' a great time Cliff, I love to fish the ocean piers too! There's a certain comraderie among pier fishermen, most are willing to helpout anybody fishin' on the pier, young or old.
It sounds like you have quite the "trashcan slam" goin' there! Those Croakers you're catchin' are about the best eatin' out of all the fish you've caught, with the American Ell comin' in at a close second. I believe the Spiny Dogfish you described is actually the Oyster Toadfish... one of the fugliest creatures in the sea!
... but they're all fun to catch!
Beans, there is quite a difference in an Atlantic Croaker and a White Grunt... and the table quality of the Croaker is far superior to the Grunt!