Big Wrasse and Pest Fish

Hi

I am looking for help: we fished a well known wrasse mark the other day on Achill Island and caught mackerel, pollack, coalfish, a garfish... and eventually we got a few wrasse. Troubel was the baits - either lures or worm boats - were intercepted before they got near the target species.

Any options - I have had one lad from Portland recommend hardback crabs but I tried this and they disappeared off the hook like magic - not even a hint of a bite, and that on a float fishing rig.

What am I doing wrong?

Thanks