I use a piece of HARD mono in the 25-30 lb class range to form a loop no bigger than 1/2 inch that trails out behind the bend of the hook on the dorsal side(top side if hook is downward).
I then tie the rabbit strip in on top of this 'shank extender' which acts to help prevent the skin from wrapping back under the hook bend
tie in mono to one side of hook(think lateral line of a fish) then double it back and tie the other end of mono to the opposite side of the hook. shape to size.
Also, hook style plays a role in this. I see the most problems with larger hooks that are 'bass' style hooks. I can dig up some pics possibly if unfamiliar with different hook gape styles.