Runs with no hookset?

I’m in the USA idk if it’ll matter too much but I’ve been getting runs so hard drag is screaming and pole is bent over only for it to let go?
One rod I’ve kept drag loose enough they could casually swim across the lake and one rod with drag set tight enough it should hookset and make em work for it.
Both rods will have this issue.

I figured it was my bait because I’m using bread balls and I thought maybe they were just holding it in their mouth and running just to spit when they realize.

A kid fishing next to me yesterday with the whole carp setup, like landing Matt, hair rigs, different pack baits had the same stuff happen tho, for three carp he had six runs, I had five runs for two carp.

What is actually happening? He just laughed said that’s just how it goes but like what the actual?

Ik some of it’s on my technique for hook setting but I still don’t understand how the carp are running with it like that and not getting hooked