thanx so much for the advice guys. oneshot..although fish OVER 20lbs is POSSIBLE im not rigged for that. im just looking to battle a couple 10-15lbers. anything over 5 ill be happy as could be. just looking for something bigger then my average 1-3lb channel cat. we dont have blues here. mainly all channels and some flatheads. ill try the chubs. then one time ill try bluegills. i can get both pretty easy. i know of tons of creeks loaded with chubs. they are about the only thing that lives in the creeks too. one creek close to here i know of a couple holes within 100yds i can get bait for a whole summer easy. i just think chubs would be the more natural bait around here being bluegills arent in my waters. but ill give them a try too. i know if i eat hamburgers all my life and someone throws a chicken to me im going to eat the chicken in a hurry just because it looks tasty! lol...ill try to find some bigger hooks. i just love the kahles. and all i can find is 1/0..my next mail order ill order some just for the occassion. but till then i think 1/0s should work alright. it may take me a little bit to find bigger fish.