I have had better luck with them fishing near structure in the back when bass are popping on grass shrimp or rainfish. You need a good current flow to keep it moving. I don't have confidence in them for rough surf. Would depend on the bait available though. If its rough and there is a lot of spearing or rainfish making there way along the surf line they could be a good choice. There is a video someone posted here of guys fishing rhody in rough surf with the eggs and nailing small bass. It's definitely do-able. I would rather fish them in the back, though. jmo