Why Bilbo?

[Morsul the Dark]

I've searched for this and can't find it maybe I didn't look hard enough, however my question, is why did Gandalf choose Bilbo to go with the dwarves. and if I recall From where i do not recall however this may by something in my head fro no reason Gandalf wanted dwarves in the lonely mountain for defense against sauron(again where i got that i dont know) my point is all sidethoughts aside(ha) why did Gandalf pick Bilbo to go, weren't there more adventurous hobbits down the river? in crickhallow or some such place?