....you get a real screamer, then, you hit it, and, nothing, 3 times today, I've adjusted the length of the hair, put the bait on the shank, I'm buggered if I know what to do next, I used to think it was small fish just grabbing the bait on its own and not the hook, please just sensible replies.

In reply to Post #1
Probably a fish trailing a lead or rig catching on your line.

In reply to Post #2
yeah, could be

In reply to Post #1
Blunt hook?

In reply to Post #4
nope

In reply to Post #5
Tried a really short hooklink? Or a running lead?

In reply to Post #2
Agreed. Whenever that happens to me that is my general thoughts. Are you fishing a heavily stocked lake?

Are there any eels or small catfish present ?

Grebes? Pain in the backside at times for swimming through your lines.

In reply to Post #1
Fish trailing line, carp spawning in the margins or pike swimming in the margins (spawning) would be the first things to discount. Then, if it's definitely pick ups, could be eels or small fish that aren't getting hooked. Try some of the alterations to your rig that have already been mentioned.

Thanks for all your replies, any or all of the
answers could be the reason, its not heavenly
stocked but it is a known very hard water, pike
maybe the culprit as I played a fish then lost
it, the line had been cut, I know the knot was
strong I am very fussy about them, I will try
some of your suggestions and take notes.

In reply to Post #11
Trailer or pike smashing fry close in. Ive had both at different times.

In reply to Post #12
I think your 2nd one is more like it, many times
I saw the fry hit the surface and is more likely the
reason for the cut line, I forgot to say that I put
back leads on and was still getting single or double
bleeps on the Delks (set at maximum sensitivity)
but no movement on the bobbins.

In reply to Post #1
If not a trailer, have you tried heavy leads, 4oz plus.. And bigger hooks maybe...

In reply to Post #1
As you said screamers, agree with Phil, Pike, happened to me many times