Mmmm
Sounds like everything is balanced.
Are you fishing a static piece of meat on a standard running rig or rolling meat?
I have been fishing castors/ maggots on small hooks and a tip so pretty conventional fishing e.g I strike at bites albeit a barbel bite is hard to miss
Also been fishing hair-rigged pellets on a running rig but they hook themselves 9/10
I only really use meat when it’s a moving bait and consequently the bites tend to be more positive as the fish makes a snap decision to intercept the bait as it trundles past
Even fishing naturals I often see an indication on the tip several minutes before a proper bite , suggesting that they are a lot more wary of a static bait in low clear conditions , even a tiny one like double castor
Might just be with low levels they are being a lot more finicky than last season ?
Possibly try an alternative hook bait like an 8 or 10mm pellet on a shortish hair?
Good luck- I’m sure you will work it out