Show me how everyone is rigging for live bait.
Slip Weight above a swivel and then a leader to the hook??

Yep, essentially a Carolina rig with a 3 foot leader

Here is how fishing guide Bob Maindelle does his rig. I tweaked it a little bit and prefer 30 pound mono leader attached to a 2/0 or 3/0 octopus J hook. I also use a 1 ounce weight instead of 3/4 ounce.


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZETO7lySA0Y

Come down on that leader to a lighter strength and you'll catch "better" fish because you'll get more action out of the bait and the line is less visible. 12lb - 15lb test is just fine in most cases for Hybrids. The lighter you can use, the better.

If you're fishing with friends/clients, and it is all about just catching fish, then keep using that 30lb test. You will not have to re-tie as often.

Great video

I run 20# mono to a 1-2 oz sinker, bead, barrel swivel, 2-3' of 20# flouro leader, 3/0-4/0 Octopus hook. Hook the Shad through the nose.