Curious as to bait choice.

Hooked into a couple of very large fish apparently lately, broke a hook and bent another...I know, I bought some REALLY heavy 'Catmaxx' hooks 6/0 baitholder the other day at Basspro so should be solved.

Also using a couple of spinning rods for saltwater, very heavy, 10 feet....overkill perhaps, but my brother loaned them..figured anything short of an alligator...I should be ok!

I used Live Bream I caught, but wondering if anyone has better ideas?

Fishing is in a large local river btw. Thanks for any replies.