We had the same problem getting out main down. Ours was because the sail was so stiff, also the slugs were like yours.

I tied a 1/4 inch diameter line to the head of the sail, let it run down to where the sail stopped dropping and tied the lower end at a slug I could reach. When the main was up the line was taught. When the main dropped to the point where it stopped I'd go to the mast and yank on the line which pulled the head all the way down in one motion.

It worked like a charm, never hung up and looked like a part of the sail.