SJ, I've had several people tell me that they can't get the hook set on Fat Ika fish, especially on the backwards rig. Now without knowing what size line, power of rod, or exact hook size you've been using, let me just give you the run down of my equipment for that bait.
First off I use a Med-Heavy action rod 6'6" or 7", and at least 12 lb. test mono or fluorocarbon. The hook is the 5/0 Gamakatsu EWG, not the SuperLine model, it is too thick of a gauge of wire to penetrate easily on the hookset. Skin hook the point of the hook on the opposite side of the bait. I don't feel a bite until the fish has the bait down pretty good. Also an important thing to remember is rod angle. When I'm in my boat I'll set the hook, bringing the rod tip upwards. When shore fishing I'll do more of a sideways sweep set of the hook. The idea is that I'm probably setting the hook on a fish that is only a few feet below my position when shore fishing, so the sideways set allows me best angle to set the hook instead of pulling the bait out of the bass' mouth. Hope some of this helps.