what I will add is that over many years, I have lost count of the number of occasions where I've thought I've had a hook-up but I've lost the fish after a few seconds notwithstanding maintaining full tension on the fish. I strongly suspect that in the case of these, the fish has never been hooked and many of these have had teethmarks around the head. I've also found the incidence of this to be more prevalent with longer poppers, as you would expect.
I am not convinced of the assist rigged hook off the towing point for stickbaits due to concerns about the impact on the action of the lure but if I am using a long popper like a 200 Ebipop, I'd be using it.
At the end of the day, we can all only give you our opinions so ultimately, you will work out what you like, Geoff.