Scott,

Chain hooks have chain between the hooks not cable. They generally have a better hook up % but they are definitely more dangerous on the release. I troll between 7 and 9 knots for billfish although I have caught them slower and faster. If they want the bait they can catch it. If I get a lure bite I kick it up to about 12 knots and keep going until I’ve dumped about half of the spectra off the spool. It’s much easier for the boat to keep a tight line than for the fisherman to do it. If a fish gets in the lures a drop back bait is generally a bite and is a much higher hook up %. Your doing the right thing, just keep at it.