On my minnows I prefer a 4/0 1/4 ounce Falcon hook. I like it better than the screw in hooks because once the bait is rigged all you see is a little minnow. It is weedless and very natural looking.
With the screw type the fish gets to see some metal sticking out of the front of the bait. Does it matter? dont know for sure but I want every little edge I can get.
As for hammers, you can wrap some fine wire around the barbes of your leadheads just behind the head and form a wire weed gaurd. You can also drill a small whole at the top/back of the head and glue in a fiber weed gaurd. Basicaly you turn the leadheads into weedless heads just like regulas bass jigs.