The only other thing I could think of would be . If your line weight doesn't match your rod weight you will have the same problem, but bad line is for sure an issue after 22 years.

That is fine . Do it however you want. That is a good idea .. but just because you add the salmon egg scent to the worm . Doesn't mean you are taking the worm scent away just adding to it . And salmon egg is just an example it could be ctawdad. , Or anise or garlic.

Yes but I am saying if you replace the air with oil besides the sight value you get from the worm. You also get a scent trail with it .
Which in turn , I would assume would lead to more strikes . .
Keep in mind none of this was recorded in a mandatory setting . Just my own experiences.

For sure. You could put any kind of scent in the worms. But in my own opinion I think only oil will be light enough to float it.

Yes but if it isn't oil based it won't float your worm. (Oil is lighter than water)

Same thing I use.
Try putting an oil based scent in the needle. Worm still floats and you get a good scent trail through the water.

Drift fish for salmon and steelhead in smaller rivers and creeks. Your hooks are always dragging on rocks .
(If you want to get where the fish are.)
So I religiously sharpen my hooks.
The fish don't run away from a sharp hook.
But IMO I think dragging a hook across my thumb nail is just about as bad as dragging it across a rock. I check by sticking it in the under side of my thumb or finger if it penetrates my thumb it will stick in a fishes lip.