Here is my advice- setup camp above the hi tide line,( it will be the line of debree you see on the beach, cant miss it, be wood,trash,weeds etc.) nothing more rude than being awakened by water
been there done that. Before I made our PINS stakes I used a 1' 4x4 with an eye bolt bolted in the center, then buried it with a Sharpshooter the depth of the blade and attached the rope to tents stake out eyes, pulled tight, tye a knot. Basically like Gregs method. Then I would have DW or kids get in tent and step on most outer edges of tent while I use the sharpshooter to bank sand up on outer edges,keeps the wind from going under tent floor. Personally I face tent door towards dunes. I too use a dish pan half filled with water to wash feet at tent door.
I would take a pair a of jumper cables, fix a flat, tire plug kit, extra fuel, tow strap and hardware needed to hook up 2 vehicles, extra water, fuel, hoses for vehicle, belts for vehicle, emergency 1st aid kit if past the 4x4 sign . Typically its a 1000.00 plus for a tow truck down there. Also I use the DOT triangle kits to mark out our camp site.
I have traveled there in winter months, bring your own wood for cooking and collect what you can for campfires. Sometimes its plentiful other time not, something to cut wood a must. Metal detectors, not sure of legalities, but I have no probs using one. They do check fishing license ALOT. Crabs--- cant help there. You should have the beach to yourselves in Febuary, even in the 2wd section, just bring warm clothes and equal camping gear, 40-60 degree with a 30mph wind is purty nippy, atleast for me it is.
Personally I park my vehicle on the traffic side of camp, just for protection from some one not paying attention.
Good luck and have fun, go prepared its alot of fun.