Any trick to putting a plastic bead on a hook?
What kind of bead on what kind of hook? A plastic bead on a single hook like the beaded spoons have or one in the middle on the bottom of a treble?
I've done a number of the latter quick n dirty. Heat the hook (carefully, don't destroy the temper, I use a hotplate) and when it's hot enough just press it onto a plastic bead. In most cases the melting plastic flows around the hook and locks it in. My experience has been with trebles but I expect you could do it with a single hook too.
Epoxy can work but the 5 minute stuff is the worst of the epoxies in water. The longer the cure (generally) the better water resistance.
Now, a little investment in some UV cure resin and a UV flashlight or (better yet) laser will cure your stuff very quickly and in the case of the laser instantly with maximum performance in water. Both flashlights and lasers can be had for < $10 on eBay. Resin runs 15 - 20 bucks for 4 oz. Pricey, I know but a little goes a long way, nothing is wasted in a pot and made for fishing if you stick with names like Loon and Solarez.
Another q/d method: Make the hole in the bead big enough to slip on over the barb then use a line threader to pull a "right size" rubber band through the bead. Trim the ends. Done. I've made poor man's bobber stops like that.