Thanks for the feedback, ned.

The one drawback as you start to lengthen that trailer back there is just like as you said. The top hook will often stick in the most exposed/convenient spot.

For me, with a 8-9" hangback it's the pec fin on a 20-30# king. Trailer sticks in the max plate, but if the fish turns just right during the fight, the top hook will find that exposed "wing" on the same side. Makes the fight a bit tougher as it becomes very difficult to turn a fish "off axis" so to speak. Fish tends to come in doing the mega spiral of a whole bait herring.

With an even longer hangback, I've occasionally also managed to find the ventral fin on smallish coho with the top hook. I would think that 16" of hangback would have that occurring more frequently with med-large coho, and smallish kings as well.

I'd recommend you hang that hook back just far enough that you KNOW it stays just outside the mouth on the biggest fish you are likely to encounter.