Rather than be deterred by the blank, it inspired me to get out again first thing this morning.
I was on the same lake and in the same spot, in fact everything was identical other than I had perch on both rigs as opposed to a roach and perch yesterday.
I was fishing with just one treble, a size 4, with each fish hooked in the flesh by the tail.
The lake has a reasonable depth as you move out into open water but I put my baits much closer to the bank.