Mhall, sounds like your getting lots of good advice. The only thing that I can ad to this is to wait until you feel the wieght on your line to set the hook. I know, much easier said than done. When the smallies are coming out of the water with it like that I like to reel down on the fish and keep pressure on it and as soon as you feel it pulling back once it's back in the water then set the hook. If they don't get air time reel down on the fish untill your rod loads up and then set the hook. Good luck it's hard to get in the habbit of waiting, and I must admit I have found myself swinging for the fences as soon as a fish hits a topwater but what can I say it gets the blood a pumping. Hope this helps, good luck and hope you caught a wall hanger.