You're right about poons throwing the hooks.. They're notorious for that.. Hooked 6 last time I was in Belize.. Didn't land a single one!!
Might have had something to do with the hooks though.. I fished hard with a guide last time I was in Honduras... He swears by the tiemco 600sp hooks. Most of his crab patterns were tied with them, including this gnarly rutter cutter that I still have. He says his hook up/spit ratio is way better.
cheers!
HD