I have to agree with the foul hook idea. I have foul hooked carp on a spinner bait while fishing shallows and thoughy that I would never get them to the boat. You get one sideways, especially while trolling and you can't stop them. Even a smaller fish feels pretty big, and one as big as you hooked feels like a run away keg of beer. I too have had them straighten out some pretty stout hooks. Keep fishing!!!