LOL... You sound exactly like me from a few years ago. I was practically convinced that the whole thing was a sham. I fished the crap out of them through good water and couldn't get a take. I could even pass back through the same water with different gear and get grabbed but no love on the worm. Then... things changed for the better.

Keep fishing them. I tend to like softer worms with a lot of wiggle. I either fish them with a weighted head under a sliding float or drift fish them behind a slinky. Eventually, it will happen and, from that point, confidence will breed confidence. I think they fish better in dirty water but I've also seen some fish get really snappy with them in clear conditions too.