Dock light fishing for snook.

Okay I have fished for snook off of many piers in St. Petersburg and
Anna Maria Island Florida. One thing that remains cosistent is live
ballyhoo, I guess there like candy to inshore fish. My question is
are ballyhoo hard to keep alive like a scaled sardine. The other
question what lure imitates them well. I tried a 2 ounce jig with a
rubber tail. I think I hit one that I lost. Will a rubber slug tail
like an exude or a 12 fathom work better. I also read something about
trolling for them with a diving plug. Could I just cast one out and
reel it in. Something with a metal lip on it like a count down. Will
any of these work. Thanks Mikey D