I used to use clear mono traces with a wine cork for a float on a short pulley rig. Didnt use breakouts just sand grabbers. And the bait was salted bonito. Still caught gurnard though.

I'm quite sure a green needlefish skirt or green float shortens the odds though. And preferably fresh bonito or even a nice anchovy for bait. Any gurnard is a good gurnard as far as I'm concerned. Doesnt matter how you catch em.