for landbased fishing they are best by a wharf or drop off. Work them along the bottom. Often you will get the hit when the lure is at rest. Braid allows you feel the attention of the fish instantly, plus 10pd (or lower) briad is really thin reducing water resistance.
As Gary says, you could try a peeler crab on a surfcast rig, but overall they are designed as lures. I would never try to tell Gary or others here how to suck eggs tho. If anyone has had success with, for example, shads or poggys on a static surf rig, please post.
You just need to try SP off a boat to see that they work well.
It doesn't help to have all the american style hype from Berkley and their followers. Raises the 'yeah right' eyebrow, fair enough.