I have got several big fish on a noodle rod. my bigges was a 25# king with 4# line. the 2 biggest things are sharp hooks and small hooks. I wouldn't use anything bigger than a #4 hook maybe even double #6's but if you keap them small and sharp you will hook them. I find that setting the hook isn't that important.with small sharp hooks their own jaw presure is all it normally takes.

dc