Feeling the bite is harder to explain and get used to than it actually is. I was asking what kind of rod you were using to see if you had a rod that would actually transfer the feeling to your hands. A fast tip rod will allow you to feel the little tugs which by the way can feel just like a 10 inch trout when it is actually a 20 lb. trout. A slow tip doesn't transfer as much to your hands and it is pretty much imperative to watch the tip and the line when using a slower action rod tip. When the lead is bouncing bottom it feels like it is striking objects, when a fish is biting it feels like a tug (just like a little trout most of the time when using rags, beads, corkies or bait), or the line will just stop. I say if you aren't used to the feel then set the hook if it didn't quite feel like bouncing bottom or if the line stops drifting down river. Sometimes when the line stops it will be hung on a object and you will set the hook either pulling it free or loosing your gear or it will be a fish. After a while you will even be able to tell if you are hung on an object or if it is a fish because line stopping on objects as opposed to a fish picking it up have a different feel also. I guess to sum it up and make it as simple as possible look for tug tug instead of clunk clunk and a somewhat softer stop or mushy stop as opposed to a hard stop but always set the hook when in doubt. Check the two rods you have been using and see which one has the faster tip. Stick to that rod until you get the feel then go to the slower action rod if you want. I just wanted to add after reading Onthe Sauks post that I am no expert either and I am more than sure that others on this board have better imput than I.