the Les Davis cut plug? or there is a version that's soft? you talking about those?

smelly jelly works for scent on them... I'd still rather brine up some frozen. but in a pinch. they work.

I sometimes will put a nylon or cheese cloth bag full of old eggs on top of the downrigger ball. It can help, kokanee like it. and blackmouth seem to like Powerbait sometimes. but you put out too much scent in some areas and the dogfish will blanket the area. killing the salmon fishing.