no as i use a mono hooklink and pull into the fish as a heavy strike isn't needed just a gently smooth strike is all thats needed,your always going to bump one or two untill you find the right strength of stike to suite you,i try to strike with the whole rod length raver than the tip (simpler to do than describe)it helps not to have too stiff a rod rather than a tippy rod you want a fast action or one thats got softish mid to tip action which will act as a cushion