All that has been said so far I know to be true. I’ve been around em since the early 70’s. A person would think that I would have learned to throw one by now, but I have not. One of those smarter than what you’re working with things. Salt water guys wouldn’t be without one. What came to mind is Mississippi. Folks out that way use small shiners like most of us use minnows. One gent told me that he buys 5 lbs of shiners to pick out a pound to a pound and a half of really big ones. I don’t know much but I’m sure that would get pricey on a regular basis. I think that regular minnows would be a choice you had to make but for the unusual I would give it no brainer status. Even cheap ones last a good while if kept out of the sun so it might be worth a shot to see if it fits your needs.