back when i fished bait, i loved the hi-low. i don't like it with anything other than clams though.
take your clams, cut them into strips, put them in kosher salt and let them sit for a night...the salt will toughen them up.
you can also add a big swivel on the end of the rig to be able to easily change the weight you need to hit bottom
sometimes though these rigs are all over-rated....depending on how shallow the water is and what the tide stage is----you can go with nothing at all....that's right...nothing...just a hook and the bait....let that bait drift around naturally....and POOOOOOW!
My largest bass to date on that method. I won't give up the actual size cuz it makes me embarrased
