Living in Hawaii, I have caught some of my biggest fish on live bluegill, and live talapia. We have tucanare (peacock bass) there too which are pretty difficult to catch on lure or soft plastics.

My favorite way to rig it is get a big ole hook, hook them in the back of their head and throw them on about a 3 foot leader udner a bobber. They'll struggle and swim around, the wounded action will excite any big fish into striking.

Evan