What line and hooks are you using Keith?Should be a minimum of 8lb in snag free streams and up to 12lb on snaggy swims or big rivers.For hook links try braid,Drennan Sink braid has never let me down in 10lb or 12lb. As for hooks many of the current crop of Carp hooks will do, maybe Nash Fangs, Fox series 2 or Drennan Continental Boilie Hooks for boilies pellets or paste and Drennan Super Spades or Drennan Boilie hooks in sizes 8 to 16 for maggot and caster fishing.
Have you set the clutch on your reels?On modern reels this is a reliable way of avoiding being smashed up.