TG the Trunk Fish aren't eatable, I fish for them from the back of the house only when my grandchildren are there. I set them up with light tackle a 1/0 or 1 hook, steel leader and some split shot. Bait......anything will work but something tough that stays on the hook(squid) is best. When I fish, usually at night for the big predator fish. barracuda and such ,I rig up with light tackle but use anywhere from 4/0 to 9/0 hooks with shrimp or whole mullet or ballyhoo for bait. I release everything so I always use circle hooks if possible. Just about all serious shore fishing is done at night in the Keys.
Charlie