I don't think most guys on here understand the "slow death hook"
they have their problems with bigger fish. the fish in the river fight like walleye aren't supposed to right now. A good fish will bend them in a heart beat if makes a run close to the boat.
Try using an octopus hook threaded through the side of the worm. work with it a bit and you can get almost the same presentation

that 18-1/2 is a good fish, heck 13-1/2 is a great fish especially since it probably wasn't egg laden with where you caught it. My dad caught one this spring that he said was his biggest ever and I've seen him catch quite a few 15 to 17-1/2lbers. He took a couple pictures and tossed her back.
I've seen a stack of boats out there. Good luck on keepin em hooked and keep us posted
