Gulp Crabs on ledger rigs are good in the surf. I have caught trevally, kahawai, kingfish, gurnard and snapper in the Hawkes Bay surf.
You can use them on their own, add a bait or add them to a bait. You can cut gulp up into any size bait you need and they will work.
The crabs on a ledger rig is a good option during the day when little is happening. Just cast them out and leave them there. I did just that at Mahanga and scored a kahawai and a snapper, cast again and caught a kahawai and a gurnard. My other rod with bait didnt move. I agree with Chad that it is not the silver bullet but you would be a fool to say they dont work as some surfcasters do.