Back when meat became 1st became popular, I ran it, and it produced well for me........ back then, I ran in mostly in the fall to staging kings behind 11" flashers.
Since then, I've transitioned to Rockets. I've had some super days with it, and some not so super. But in general, once I learned how to tune it and how to run it, it produces as well as "real meat".... run behind spinneys, dodgers, flashers, and clean at all times of the year. I rarely fish real meat anymore........
It's not the answer you were hoping for, but it is my experience.