Hey butch , for big tile fish .. I just use a 5/0 hook ... i`ve tried all sizes of bait ... the big ones will hit a small bait also ... just put a whole squid on the hook .. just hook it once ... it will do the trick ...the small ones will nibble ... you`ll know when a big one hits ... rod just bends to the water .. and hang on ....!!!! my biggest to date is 16lbs ... still looking for my 20lbs .. maybe this weekend i`ll get lucky, going to try with my spinning outfit again ..Later ..Willi