10# mono will result in less than 10% hook ups,a weak hook set will reduce that percentage.not feeling the tug before setting hook and your down to 1 % hook ups and like said in pads if you did hook up 10# mono w/ a decent fish , your heart will be broken most of the time.
it is inherent that bass will slap or knock toads a good percentage of the time,nothing you can do about that.if it persist during a outing change colors,style, retrieve,untill you find something they will committ to.when fishing toads i always have a speed worm ready and always alternate between the two.in many situations the speed worm will get more bites than the toad and way more hook ups.
about the lightest test braid you can get away w/ is 30#,50# in the heavy cover.
in pads i swim a frog more than i buzz it ,i seem to get more good hits than slaps.