Not sure I agree about any need to set the hook??? I have observed that the fish hook themselves. They don't nibble away at a plug they pretty much slam it. Other than that I think reels post is about how we do it here. The true art of plug pulling really is being able to read the water and determining where the fish will be. Nothing worse " or more of a crack up" than watching some yo-yo rowing dead center down the middle of the river with the rod tips way up and about 100 yards of line out. I may have misunderstood the set the hook part. Thats one reason I don't like people to hold the poles in their hands when pulling plugs. 1> I can't control how the rods are being held in relation to the water or anything else for that matter. 2> When a fish hits the plug it usually scares the hell out of the guy with the pole in his hands who out of reflex gives it a big old "yank" To answer your question I would have to say just one setting above or parallel