Luke, I just use a thimble and crimps with shrink wrap over them, to reduce flash and wahoo mischief. I do short bite leader with a crimp and shrinkwrap over that as well.
As brandon eluded to, I had some issues with the bug as shoalwater.
I had to retire one of my favourite bugs, as the belly loop had been pulled at an angle. So I put another, newer bug on. It didnt seem to pop like the old one and seemed a bit heavy, unable to float a Decoy 8/0. So I checked out the other bugs.
The newer ones are heavier, two 116g, two 118g and one 120g. The older ones with twisted wire loops weighed 102g, 104g, 106g.
So I decided to weigh the hooks with rings which gave interesting results
Trebles
Decoy 8/0 24g
GT recorder 6/0 20g
ST76 5/0 22g
Singles
Owner Jobu 10/0 16g (recommended by nomad)
Decoy Sergeant N 8/0 8g
Gama Livebait 8/0 12g
Decoy Cutlass 10/0 10g
Blade 8g
It becomes apparent when you are trying to getthe best popping action how important the balance of lure is. My old bug popped fantastically, but the newer bugs need a different setup, maybe two single sergeant'N will give back the balance.
Cheers
George