new to fishing, one simple question

[evgeney]

So I went to a hot spot for fluke in NY with a new surf rod and reel, last time I went with a friend I had a large amounts of catches but this time I lost half a bag of bait and pretty much felt nothing biting even through the bait was gone as I reeled it in. I caught one nuisance crab stealing my bait in action but I doubt it was a crab every time. now the hooks come with a pre-set line and loop, I just set the loop through the bracket, my question is should I just leave the loop as it is or should I tie it so there is no loop and it would be tighter, I don't know what else the problem could have been to why I felt no bites 3 hours in.
Thanks
[signature]