Most folks, myself included, have changed their mind about these. When I first tried them I had no idea about how they could or should be trimmed, and that makes all the difference in the world. Left full length the guards cut down on the hookup after the hit. Done right you will will hardly ever miss one. At least I didn't. The smaller ones are a lesson in progress for me too and as the fish sometimes get hung up on the guard, but it doesn't hinder the average and larger fish at all. Good luck with it and keep us posted as to how you warm up to them, or not.