In the shallower spots, those cranks can be deadly. I've caught some huge spotties in Mission Bay on those things. They do seem to work best in the shallow eel grass flats though, and SD Bay doesn't have nearly as much of that as Mission.

Never tried the zippers in the salt, but I have used other FW stuff. Spinnerbaits are a fun one too.

One rig I've played with a bit is a heavy duty drop shot rig for drifting. I tie a 1oz torpedo on the end of the line and then tie a straight shank worm hook about 2-3' up from the sinker. Thread a WHAM bait on and drop it to the bottom. Leave the reel in gear and just stick it in the rod holder and let it drift with the swells while you fish the second rod. Works pretty darn good.

TL,
Adam