I usually reel down to the fish, and set the hook fairly hard. This weekend, i had 2 or 3 small bass(8-10") grab my tube but they wouldnt let go, and i coudlnt get a hook in them because i couldnt get the hook point through the plastaic. was using a lighter spinning rod. When using a heavy rod, i set the hook hard and reel fast to get that fish out of the cover. I NEVER peg with toothpicks. It can damage your line. Instead, using bobber stops, the rubber kind. The tie on ones work too. They keep your sinker pegged and dont hurt your line. Also, when you set the hook, the sinker can move up the line, which doesnt let the fish use the weight of the sinker to throw the weight.

slayer