when it's tough like that I'll hook small pieces of squid to the sibiki or add some "sauce" (pro-cure or uni-butter.) If that still won't work, I'll take the sibiki hook size down a bit and sometimes change the presentation (smaller weight, cast vs. drop, drop to the bottom and jig up, dynamite, etc.)
as for the wife... up your life insurance, buy a VHF radio, wear a vest or simply don't tell her.
