I use a very small squirrel-tail jig, or plain jig head, to hook a wiggler, like a 1/28-1/32 oz with #6 or #8 hook, fished slow on the bottom. I get almost no gut-hooking this way, and catch just as many as using a plain hook. No additional weight needed.
When I don't have worms (or don't feel like driving to the bait store) I use the same small squirrel tail jig, or a small jig head with a Renosky Keystone minnow, or a Mr Twister micro claw plastic. Deadly on bedding fish.
"Alive without breath, as cold as death; never thirsty, ever drinking, all in mail never clinking."