I had the same problem a week ago fishing a float with a Berkley gulp waxie. I recently got a '4'6 intra lite rod and reel combo. I was fishing with a float and hook. I had problems hooking fish. Out of 5 hits, only one of them got a hook up. I switched to a 7'6 rod and I stopped missing all the hits. The softness of the rod tip also plays a part. A stiff rod tip will hook more fish. Otherwise, use a bass tye hookset for short, soft tipped rods.