Live bait for Laketrout

[jrehfuss]

I have been fishing Merrill Creek, drifting a medium shiner on the bottom and missing about 50% of my hookups. Many fish are spitting the hook on the way up - I'm keeping medium tension on the line, but it seems the hooks may be pulling out of the fish's mouth. Do Lake trout have very soft mouths? Should I be reeling them in more gingerly? I'm using braid with a fluorocarbon leader (so there is very little stretch) and size 4 or 6 hooks. I am keeping my drag on the snug side and not letting any slack in the line. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks, Jim