def. i cuaght a 2.5 pound red ear last year. i was going after catfish. i was using like a size 1 or 1/0 gamkatsu circle hook(finesse) i used 20lb. fireline and medium-heavy penn combo. and man did that thing fight more than a bass. i wish they were all that big. i also caught 2 more before that around 1 pound. i used hot dogs pieces around 1 inch by 1 inch