I use the same rods and love them. Sharpen your hooks and bury your line in the release. If they seem to hold too loose, adjust them so they have a firmer hold. I use the little Scotty's. And I bury my line so that I often have to pop the line out when a (smaller) fish hits. Although I had a nice king hit my 5 color the other day. I thought for sure (as I popped the line from the release) it was a small fish or a laker. Then the drag started screaming! Steelhead can be hard to keep hooked on long lines. Usually the jumping is what throws the hook. I tighten down fast (by thumbing the spool) on anything on a long line. Then let them scream out if need be.