thanks for all the postive replies. i will try a lengthier trace next time probably go with a 12" or so & see how i get on for now then. i was also trying to keep the steel trace down short as i wssnt keen on it lashing one of the large streamers past the rod & cracking the trace against my blank as i had imagined it could perhaps be tricky false casting with the trace join being further up the leader when using a longer trace, but it sound like you guys have no problem so i will try some with a trace length of 12"-18" next time, which will probably be soon as i have purchased somes of chris's dna bush pigs to try which he is currently selling on ebay as they look good if you look at the following ebay item numbers you will see what i have bought to try & you may also see some you like for yourselves as he has others a
available too:

290423981504

290423977185

290427618908