I had problems with the longer leader too, so I now use a 18-20" 4-6lb test leader. I use size 6 or size 8 Gamakatsu baitholder hooks instead of the octopus hooks. When rigging the grub on the hook, I have experimented and had success by not threading it all the way onto the hook, but rather thread it on only halfway, so that there is some of the hook shaft portruding from the tip of the grub. I dunno, just seems to work better getting fish to hold on.

** tight lines make all my troubles go away **