I would say that it's not bad at all. I fish a spinning set up, and I keep one finger on the line where it comes out of the reel. I feel the 'tap tap tap' of the sinker bouncing off the bottom and only set the hook when I feel pressure on the line or a tug. That's the way I was taught. If I'm doing it wrong, please let me know. It seems to me that you are going to foul at least one or two no matter what you do when they're in the river so thick.