When I used to tie flies we were taught to ping the hook in the vice before tying on them
if it sounded dull throw the hook away and don’t waste time
they were always the weak ones and it surprising how many are weak when you ping them
I think it depends on what kind of leader you are doing as to what knot
leadcore or unleaded I will use a nail/needle knot
shock leader knot will be a mahin knot
Try sweet corn and chopped worm
the chopped worm will get them buzzing And that will get them eating the corn
boilie sand pop ups will be alien to them now
And a big loop on the end so you can get a spomb through with a smaller loop at the end of that just so you can loosen that loop to take it back off again