Most of the needlefish plugs you will use for heavy surf don't exactly resemble a needlefish because in real life a needlefish is skinny, sinewey and s shaped like an eel. Another example, SS makes a stubby needle, it looks more like a miniature bowling pin, but they slay the bass. The profile somewhat resembles what is out there, and they are killer for the fall.
For me it depends on how big the surf is. If it's calm you can definitely use a smaller needle, or if you want to carve something out that looks exactly like a sand eel, why not? Some sand eels get to 12" long and bigger but most will be a standard size. And the size changes with the season, one night you will have 4" sandeels and the next week they will be 7". That's why you're good with something that fits the mid range of the bait profile. If the sandeels are real small use a small sluggo and bite the head off.
madcaster, some photos that might help and a good article.
http://www.bassdozer.com/articles/surf_plugs.shtml
The plugs listed are in order of appearance pencil poppers, littleneck poppers, bottle plugs also known as bottle darters, needlefish, and one stubby needlefish,
VS, Thanks for posting that link. Lot of good reading. Read some Can't wait to finish it..