captken

Hey Luke---Your problem may be in your casting technique, rod actionor retrieve.

Are we talking spinning tackle or bait casting here? I'd about bet on spinning because a baitcaster demands good line control to prevent backlashes. Lightly feather the line just before your lure hits the water. This will assure that your plug lands with the tail facing away from you. This is automatic with a bait caster but not necessarily so with spinning tackle.

A rod with a very limp tip doesn't work well with heavier lures, either casting or on the retrieve. A Top Dog or large Skitterwalk won't work very well on a light Ugly Stick.

Here are afew other considerations:

If you are casting into the wind, drop the rod tip all the way down to the water rather than leaving it high. This cuts way down on slack line which will lessen the chance of fouling. It might even increase your distance in some circumstances. You will at least gain line and lure control.

In choppy water, work the lure with your tip low and to the side. Again, you gain line and lure control.

If you are casting from a high seawall, pier or jetty, a top water lure may not be the best choice. Try a Kastmaster, Mr. Champ, or a jig.

When I was working for Pure Fishing (Berkley, Abu Garcia, Fenwick, 7-Strand, Stren, Spiderwire, etc) I spent a lot of time giving casting demos and instruction. I stressed line control a lot.

Oh yeah, I get hooks fouled on spinning tackle occasionally but mighty seldom on a bait caster.

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Captken
http://www.panhandlefishingbooks.com/