RRocket

This. Impressive action, too.

I did that the last couple of seasons. Very fun baits...if a bit expensive. But they work!

My "secret" Ned bait? Duo Realis Wriggle ND Slim

Deps Cover Scat

The hooks you seek absolutely do exist. These days, there's a pretty big subset of what I'll call "value fisherman". These guys love fishing great gear but their budget doesn't allow high dollar fishing tackle. And so they scour the internet for the best quality/value. I usually start by browsing Amazon (or other value retailer). I'll find one with high ratings. And then I'll investigate the brand OUTSIDE of the retailer reviews. You'll usually see the good ones pop up often in threads on discussion boards, clubs, Reddit, YouTube, etc I've found a couple of lures and even a rod this way. Excellent purchases, BTW. I have no doubt you'll find some recommended hooks this way. These are the types of videos, for example (this one is old)

This. The Down Shot Offset Hook is great for weedless. I have used this one often. As is the Rebarb. Super, super sticky hook in the fine wire version. I've have also used a VMC Finesse Neko hook in the same way as the Rebarb when the Rebarb were out of stock. These days I mostly use and prefer the weedless versions of the Hayabusa Spin Muscle or Nishine DS Hook. I prefer their versatility.

This makes sense from reading I've done. When fish are actively chasing baitfish, they prefer the maximum return for their calories burned during the hunt. Why expend the same energy for a tiny meal? So the biggest baitfish they can handle is often preferred.

Sigh...I feel your pain. Same thing here. I sometimes open the garage door to have a peek at the boat hibernating in the garage...

That's really great! What is the regional/local name for such a lure?

I agree with all of this which is why I've really got into these baits. And it really started with the poop baits for me, particularly the CoverScat. These flat out get bit, yet they look like nothing special. Until you see the vibrating the fat butt on these does in underwater videos. Which is like the vibrating and water displacement you refer to. Now in the more bug shaped baits, I have seen plenty of videos where the tiny legs are positively buzzing on the drop. If the lateral line is a sensitive as we've been made to believe, fish would undoubtedly detect these vibrations. Check out the below video as example https://youtu.be/3JK0sb49WVw?feature=shared

Have added 4 OSP Buzzin Crank Heavy Hitters. In hand, these are my favorite wake bait yet. They are very compact yet loud! I think as loud as the Hybrid Hunter. These OSP are beautifully made. I picked some colors that will work well in light or dark.. The Matte Tiger has a large chartreuse belly extending up the side. Can't go wrong with Bone and Pink, either. The Kurokuro is black metallic with a hint of an orange line down the belly. And of course, plain black. I think I'm most excited to throw these.

Baits have arrived. I'm starting to like these individual clamshells. I just slice though with an Xacto and I can store the bait with my hook on it for short term storage. Bait is soft. Sparkles are subtle but visible. It's a true Japanese Scuppernong color but from some angles it can look brown. Interesting. Little legs are quite fine with a little ball on the end. I think they will only be useful for the slightest of twitches while stationary.. I can't imagine they'd add anything once you get the big rear legs/claws flapping.

My favorite!

Wake baits

I've got a shallow version coming. Supposed to be surface to 1 foot deep. How's the normal work on the surface as a wake bait?

Normal version or shallow version?

This is possible. But it's somewhat a result of human error. Depending on what chemical process was used, steel could be more brittle. And if you use something too coarse, particularly a file, you can indeed blow the tip off. In this case using an extremely fine stone (and not a file) can sharpen the hook without blowing the tip off. However, it may require a finer stone than usual and a more deft touch.

Good to hear. Am excited to try them. I'll post some photos when I get them.

Oh! And I have some Tiemco Buzz Bugs coming in the mail..

I hook my Cue opposite of yours, and I use the same hook. I have the Cue pushed as far back as possible so more hook tip is exposed. Ditto on the Dice. Fortunately there's no Bream here to pick at the threads as in your situation. The 1Way is quite interesting. It's essentially a Dice but with a couple side fins which make it wobble. There's also hook points, so I feel more thought was put into hooking on this one. The Big2Way is really good on a Free Rig. No surprise that it looks great doing it's thing on the weightless drop. The smaller elastomer versions (Little 2way) are an exceptional top water pond lure. Really looks like a struggling bug. Despite my love of Japanese baits, some of them can be fragile. But the mindset in regards to this is different over there. If you really are into bug baits, I strongly suggest a threader. That way you might be able to choose a more durable body and threads. Also, the sky's the limit for the baits you can make. I have the Decoy and it works very well.

Here's some of the ones i snapped photos of. And I even made some of my own with a threader from Decoy. The last picture is the Cue..but you can't really tell.

Been fishing these for the last couple of seasons. My favourites are Imo Kamushi, the Cue and the 1-Way. I'm particularly fond of the 2Way and Big 2Way. Here's a video of me testing it in my tub!

The term is "Tritanopia". You can run pictures of your bait through here if you're bored. Just choose the right filter. I've re-uploaded the images. And for fun, an orange Repala. I too suspect it's one of two things happening: there's some sort of contrast or, perhaps, there's some sort of UV the fish are seeing causing contrast. Either way after reading, I believe contrast to be quite important...especially in strolling or rolling presentations where you're "flashing" the sides/belly/back during the retrieve. https://pilestone.com/pages/color-blindness-simulator-1?srsltid=AfmBOoqH_oGfm3gDw99oNHq3z8gY9D8fmJjub692aTrEhJjjEYhajEiO

You're looking for a little "hump" in the back. That helps movement. Also, the Mylar Minnow (one of my favorites!) is recommended as a great replacement plastic. Here's an excellent video talking about proper hooking, bait replacement and technique.