mackeral will take anything! the simple sprat type lures, basically chrome plated lead at a quid or so are pretty good, you can put a bend in them which gives them a much better action. usually they are around 25-30g so you can chuck em a fair way with a spinning rod
I've bought a mould for the lead sprat lures, makes 30g and 60g lures, I powder coat some, paint some, leave some plain, they all work well
dexters can be pricey, but aren't that difficult to make, length of chrome tube, fill with lead, when cool slice it at oblique angles like a dexter, stick some holographic foil on the exposed lead bits if you fancy, drill each end, splir rings and trebles, and off you go, a 6" length of tube will make about a dozen dexters, with split rings and hooks, will cost a couple of quid for a dozen.