I fish deep with a rod in each hand, 50 fow. 8'rod, baitcasting reel with braid tied direct to a 1/8, 1/4, or 3/8 head with a brush guard and a #1 hook. The thump is awesome and the fish don't care about the braid. The baitcaster doesn't twist the line like a spinner giving drag and also has a smoother drag, keep it set a bit looser for the braid. Tips low to the water to help set the hook.