I'll throw my 2 bits in. Flesh is sometimes essential, but I've found over the course of a decade or so of using these plugs that it isn't necessary most of the time. You'll know when it is required if you get squat with your bare plug, while the bait-wrapped ones are producing.

I've had pretty good success both back-bouncing and tossing plugs like a spinner without bait wraps, and if the going gets tough, I'll put a wrapped one on. I like them better without a wrap when tossing and retrieving them, as the wrap alters the action of the plug.

As to what to wrap them with....anything they would eat otherwise: herring, sardines, squid, shrimp......if you figure out how to use eggs on a plug, drop me an email.

You can run em' bare, but I'd ALWAYS keep a few wrapped ones within reach. The guys above gave some good advice for wrapping techs. and scents. Don't forget to tune your plugs to make sure they're diving and running straight, rather than squirting off to one side or rolling over in hard current.