I will field test them and dispose of all the defective ones. Posts above are excellent on fishing a soft plastic under a mauler. I think it is most effective when drifting structure on windy days when the drift is faster than normal. It won't take long to get confidence in this method once you get that first big hit. If they start hitting your mauler instead of the lure, it's time to put on the topwater, quick.
Maulers are very common and can be picked up just about anywhere.
Florida Flats Equalizer and a few other local brands are the same animal. What you're looking for is a double tapered cigar float, with a rigid wire running down the center of the float, and a lot of purty beads and stuff. The float slides on the wire and rattles the beads when you work it. I like the Mansfield mauler, invented by Lower Laguna guide Bob Fuston many years ago. Many imitations are out, and I hate giving my money to some Florida company that ripped off Fuston's mauler.