The 1141 *is* primarily a side-drifting rod. Used as such, the boat is moving away from the fish during hookset which helps tighten up slack line for an effective set.

I've used mine as a bank rod at times, and there is a definate trick to setting the hook. You must reel down on a tight line and try to break the SOB at the cork, and I'm not kidding. Small cutting point hooks are also a must: Number 4's are perfect and absoulutely no larger than number 1's.

P.S. I went 7 & 0 one summer before things turned in my favor. It do suck.