I have had a similar year of more lost fish than ever before. I too switched from mono to braid w/ fluoro leader and a stout carbon fiber rod. I really believe my hook sets are too hard and I have often brought fish in with larger holes in their lips with hook about to fall out. I loosened my drag even more and try (although really hard to break the habit &#128556 to not set the hook with as much force. It has helped since doing that but I still loose too many fish and have considered going back to mono. I love the sensitivity of braid though and hate to go back