Fishin.com used them up in Canada for Lake Trout.. BEST Lake trout bait there is and worked good to excellent on smallies too. Yes they have to be worked fast and do dry out.
However the big thing with me was the fact that when we fished the gulp twister tails jigging them the Lakers would follow the bait almost to the surface. Lakers were holding in 40 to 60 feet of water and following a bait from darkness into light is not normal for a laker.
I caught more fish on Gulp than on Regular twister tails due to the extra follow. I like the Gulp baits but they do have a trailing scent and it does attract ALL species not just bass so that is why you are catching Cats as well as bass. Caught a 12 pound Pike on one while jigging for lakers.
Just my opinion..
Jim Dicken