re: Got picked for gator tags! Now I have questions

My advise ( I've had close to a hundred gators pulled into my boat in the last three years) don't need as big a hook and line as you would think. I use 12/0 hooks and 900 lb braid. Most use 1200 lb tarred twine. Make your lines 30 to 40 ft long. The key is to give the gator enough line to stay in the water and feel safe. They won't fight line too much that way. I tried to save money last year and use 20 ft lines. The water was low and end of line was only a few feet off bank in a couple feet of water. I had three straightened hooks the first day. First time that has happened to me. Lengthened my lines back to 30 ft plus, gave the area a week to rest and reset the lines. Caught two right at 10 ft. Also I like beef melt as bait with chicken leg or thigh also on hook. Let melt sit in sun till starts to turn green. Melt for smell, chicken for attraction ( white skin).