Chum, check out the Mustad big gun live bait J hooks (size 1/0). They've always worked well for me...tie them on with a snell knot. Big lively croakers are going to be the best bait for mangroves probably 80% of the time. Pogies are always tough to beat for cut bait.
Tie on your leader to main line with a double uni knot. If you have good live bait you can probably get away with using a swivel. Lock down your drag all the way and when you get hooked up, fight like hell during that initial run. Walk away from the rig to the front or back of the boat and keep reeling why the fish in running. Once their head is turned, the fight is usually over.
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