I totally agree with Mooch. I hate to admit it but I was too lazy to try and type out the same suggestion a couple days ago. My tehnical explanations tend to be long winded and wandering from the point.
Regardless, I suggest you try this "Mooch-method." I first read about it in a Salmon, Trout, Steelheader article sometime in the early eighties. The article started off with some sort of boast about how to tell the difference between Puget Sound steelheaders and Olympic Peninsula steelheaders; The angler from the Peninsula has his rod tucked under his arm with the tip horizontal to the water while seemingly ignoring his rod tip. The Sound angler has his rod tip up at ready position, a fixated dumb stare watching for lightning to strike at any moment!!!
The O.P. guy is catching twice as many fish of course. The misnomer for the "feel" comes easier with every take.
Long story short- just watch the belly of the line. If it stops or pops- lay into 'em!
Good Luck