Softbaiting in surf is fairly common in the US (for stripers etc) and in Australia, but hasn't been widely practised here that I'm aware of.

I've seen the odd social media post about it.

But there's every reason to think kahawai, trevally, gurnard and maybe snapper, would be suckers for softbaits in the surf environment. Possibly an untapped resource, just need to put in the time and effort at the right time of day, and in the right places.

Judging from your other post, I'm guessing you don't have any softbait gear at the moment. You'd probably need to use a particularly long rod suitable for casting say 0.5oz jigheads a fair distance, and lightish braid.

I have a 9ft Shimano Raider 7-45g lure weight travel rod picked up in Australia to fish lures for tailor in the surf over there, that I have sometimes considered trying softbaiting or small metal casting in the surf with here - just haven't really had the right opportunity.

I did try attaching a curly tail softbait to one hook of a ledger rig when surfcasting in the Far North over sand, but had no luck on it. Having said that, I only got one bite that morning - a 9lb snap on the half pillie on the other hook - so it was tough fishing to try the softbait in.

I think fishing a softbait set up with a small curly tail softbait in something like New Penny colour (trundled slowly) and a paddle tail in a baitfish colour (retrieved a bit faster), would be successful.

As with any surfcasting, finding deeper gutters and channels would be the way to go, rather than casting into heavy breaking waves.

If you have success, let us know.

I'm sure softies would work too if you can get them under the fish's nose, but again, I'd be looking at heavier weight jig heads, 28-56g. The new Bleeder jig heads in 2oz with a 7 inch Zman would be a nice combination for this kind of thing. 

I don't think hanging softies on bait rigs would be too successful with the possible exception of Gulp on a good day, but real bait would be better.

Regardless of the approach, I think the fundamental problem with land based lure fishing is feeling reasonably confident that you are getting lures to the fish. On a boat, it's easy with fish finders and being able to move around from spot to spot. Bait fishing from shore is different since the fish will come to the bait. With lure fishing, it's easy to get disheartened, but what a cool way to catch fish if you can do it!