I have been using this rig a lot the last year.

Love hate relationship.

My problem is I am not detecting bites well. Either the line just goes tight and they start swimming off with it... those I get fine. Or its just some sort of mush and I am missing a lot of fish I know, I feel them drop it even.

Ticking me off. Any tips?

If you're not already go all fluorocarbon, tungsten weight and a more sensitive rod. Always sweep to the side with your hookset.

Tight lines.

they don't always eat it the same way, keep at it! I know that sounds a little blunt but, sometimes the bite changes by the hour out there.

You can use braid as your main line without issues. This will increase your feel also.

Im using braid and tungsten 1/2 to 1oz.

I use 15lb mono for the leader.

Using a more sensitive line like braid or flourocarbon, along with a more sensitive rod is really the only "answer" to the problem. Other than the fact that, sometimes, fish bite funny. And as "Connor S" said, always sweep your rod to the side if you can. I seem to get better hookups that way. If you set the hook up to the 12 o' clock position, you'll really have to set it hard.

Perfect set-up! Bites on C-riggs kind of run the gamut for me. Sometimes a T-rig like tap-tap, sometimes a tugging, sometimes simply resistance or something just "different" on the line. They generally hang onto my C-riggs longer than most baits. Anytime you feel ANYTHING set the hook with a sweeping hookset. It will start becoming second nature to detect these strikes.

Does the OT know you are posting over here?

I very seldom sit in one spot and cast a C-Rig unless it is a very light one only 1/8 oz. and throwing at a particular target like a grass line or tops of bushes that I can see under water.

The heavier rig is being dragged around the contour that I have found fish on. I use straight 17# floro. or 20# in heaver cover on the slopes. You are in constant contact with your rig and will always feel the bite. Drift with the wind and use the TM. to slow the boat. Keep letting out line a little at a time when moving slightly to fast. This is a learned technique and one that you will get better at as you fish it. Most of the time the boat is drifting backwards with the nose pointing toward the rig. Your eyes are always on the depth finder to keep you on contour.

Yes, GPA just sent me a screen shot.

Yep, if something feels different set the hook. Now get back to the OT! LOL

Fishing with someone who knows the intricate details of fishing a c-rig would be a good start for you. You never stated the kind of rod and reel that you're using but your line set up seems spot on, although I prefer flouro as my mainline. My c-rig rod is a 7'6 M/H flipping stick. You need backbone and sensitivity in your rod as most of the time you'll have a lot of line out. Another tip is to reel down/tighten your line and point the tip of the rod at your bait then set the hook. Most of the time you don't have to be in a hurry to set the hook unless you're in heavy structure or there is a finicky bite. Reel is Abu Garcia Rev 6.4 to 1, you can go to a higher gear ratio reel because you want to be able to put some heat on em once you stick em. I fish my leader from 2ft to 5ft depending on how the fish are relating to the cover. Longer leader works much better when the fish are suspended slightly above the structure and when they are right in or on the structure short leader. Hope some of this helps.

If you set the hook on c rig say 3' to 5' leader over head, you mostly
move the weight not the lure.
Allways set like backward bass ball swing, hook more fish.