Use slinkies. The strike of a fish is easier to differentiate from a slinky than plain lead. Use the slinkies on a snap swivel so they slide on your mainline.
When your slinky first hits the bottom after your cast, pop your rod tip back a bit. This will get the slinky at the very end of your mainline against your swivel, and will reduce the belly in your line.
Drift your gear in an arc that starts straight out in front of you and works its way to the bank instead of trying to cast up stream and run your gear in a straight line with the current.