can anyone tell me where or if you can buy live spot/croaker or finger mullet anywhere?  should i just go to a local fish market and buy it?

My advice is buy a cast net and learn how to throw it.  You don't have to be very good at it to get enough bait for one person.  Buy a 6' net to start with.  Bett's is a good brand, it will cost  you $40-$50 and will come with directions. 

This time of year there is a ton of bait in the water, you would be surprised.  Three things to remember are  A) throw the net in shallow water if you aren't that good at it.  B)  try to throw it on bait you can see in the water.  C)  if you think there is ANY chance there might be rocks or other bottom obstruction, DO NOT throw the net there, you will ruin it.

Hope this helps, I hate having to stop for/pay for bait.  Plus, remember that anything you catch near where you are fishing is likely what the predator is used to feeding on in that area.

I agree with the cast net for bait.  I used mine to get some mullet last night.....which lead to my first keeper flounder of the year!!!

I take my 4' net in the kayak with me just in case some nice menhaden come by.

I have several of these nets, and they really pay for themselves. I soak them in diluted fabric softener from time to time, and it really relaxes the mono for superior net handling. I have a 20' net that is a beast to throw when you haven't used it regularly.( never thrown this one from the yak)..but the fabric softener truly restores it's flexibility when it has not been handled in a while.

     The tiny hook routine works good when there is an abundance of needlefish, as a handful of them tangled in your net can test your patience.

MAX