Dear Jkilroy,

I have had similar experiences. I also fish LMB and Spotted Bass in Man-made lakes, with a TFO 8WT. Not to sound like a teacher but I have found that many times my hooks were not sharp enough. Try sharpening the hooks even after you take them out of the package. Secondly, Set the hook with a line pull. You get much better leverage and setting power from the line rather than the rod. Lastly go to 12 lb test leader. It is not the line test but the abrasion that gets you. Higher line strength gives you more margin for error. I hooked and relased a Spotted Bass two weeks ago using a Clouser and 10 lb line.