If it goes to the canopy in the verticals, and you're happy with the downthrust, you should increase the wing incidence slightly, not decrease it?
I always think of the "Effective" elevator position, when working out pitch problems. If you have too little incidence on the wing, you'll need a bit of up elevator trim to fly level,in level flight, to
balance the downward pull of gravity.
This same up elevator trim, will cause a slight pitch to the canopy, when going vertical,because the pull of gravity is now effectively parallel to the fuselage,rather than at right angles to it.