Pop and drop syndrome

[SkunkedAgain]

So last night I went out bank fishing at 8:30. I know that’s go home time not start time,but I’m taking what time I can get lately. Got a bullhead and 17” channel to save the skunk and then the syndrome set in. I’d get a good solid bite followed by the bobber taking off, I use a bait feeder reel so they can run, anyway I’d pick up my pole and wait for tension to set the hook and nothing. This happened like 8 times over the night including the big splash that the cats make in shallow water when they bust you. Anyway I have no idea what I’m doing wrong all of a sudden, but the cats are onto me and are not making more than a quick pop and drop. I did have my second rod out which is Carolina rigged and I noticed the line taking off, no hit just line movement. So I set that hook and pulled in a nice 21.5” walleye, but I never caught another cat. Any suggestions? I am using octopus style hooks and have my hook tips open to be able to set the hook. The rig has worked fine all season, but the last couple trips the fish are onto me. Anyway seems like I’ve had this happen before and then it just goes away, is there a time when the fish get tentative and am I the only one that has this happen?  Just trying to figure things out. Thanks Jeff