I think you answered your own question.Pointless using tough baits if they don’t work.
If I want a “tough” bait I use squid,You can buy arrow squid or calamari or catch it.I buy squid tubes from the fish shop and cut it into strips.If the fish are there it works…if they’re not there it doesn’t.Same for soft baits like nippers ,worms etc.When there’s lots of pickers I tend to move spots more than up size bait.Im a pretty average fisho, below average probably but even I know a smaller bait will hook will catch more fish than a bigger bait and hook.
Perhaps try something like strip squid tubes in your spot with a combination of moving spots if pickers persist,changing time of day like nights( way less pickers at night).