Depends on if the DQ is in Wyoming or in Alabama. Anyway, welcome from Alabama. I am just an "Old school" fisherman and use both a 6.5 and a 7.5 "ugly Stick Lite" equipped witih Shakesspear open face reels spooled with 6 lb spider wire for 98% of my fishing.
This is a pretty basic setup that I use.
This is the Palomar knot I use.
This is me with a 3.2 pound crappie on the line
This was the bait that I used.