FYJ, I also have my people count the pulls and stress pull length from the reel all the way to the first eye (each and every pull), every pull the same to get all plugs as close as possible to the same distance. I have heard of others who mark their line at 60' with a marker of some sort. (60' is what I run for the most part others may be different)

As far as rigging goes, the big thing for me to learn was not to use a snap swivel on the main line to clip on to the plug. Instead use a horseshoe clip (I believe that is what it is called). The snap swivel will cause the plug to come to the surface more often than not (very annoying). Wiggle Warts come with this clip, I am not sure if the Hot Shots and Tadpollys do or not. Hope this helps

Doubletake