How does everyone rig for gar, catfish, bowfin, etc?

I know this is an old post, but better late than never.

I haven't caught anything that I would call particularly big, only catfish up to 15lbs. Generally, 20lb leader to a 1oz sinker to a 1/0 hook. Have it rigged off 40lb braid. Have another setup with 12lb with a small weight and #6 hook.

The smaller rig has definitely caught more fish over all, lending credence to the "big hooks can catch big fish, but small hooks catch fish".

I don't have a boat so it's all been bank fishing and wading in some streams.

No such thing as an old post. And the only boats I play with are non motorized. And like yourself have found that the smaller hooks tend to catch pretty much everything.