Right, Rick, you might be able to do something with the bigger "legs"...like this one:
The one above is tied on a size 10 hook, for reference.
Most of the legs on the rubber "puffer balls" are much smaller.
However, the big ones are probably only about 2" long (I'm guesstimating, since I'm at work). It sounds like the guys targeting bass would be wanting something substantially larger...like at least 5"+? It might work, but we really gotta find the right material/source.
What about strips of thin leather, reinforced with mono (like flychucker mentioned)?
David Merical
St. Louis, MO