if thats all you can get then 20lb will do but i personally like to use surveyors string its maby 1/8" string and it holds up really well and its cheap and when i do it i just cut small bluegill in 1/2 and larger ones ill cut till there right which is uaully about a 1.5"x1.5" square and you might try useing trebble hooks i tend to catch more on them then i do a standard hook ive never tried live bait on a bush hook and i dont think it would stay alive very long but cut bait does very well good luck,sean