>>1470936Ended up getting a field and stream rod on clearance, ul 6' two piece and it's the lightest rod I found in my price range
>>1472005I'd go with 20lb braid and a mono leader. Xraps and slashbaits are good, but you might wanna look into some other stuff too like bitsy bug jigs, crankbaits, etc. The slashbaits are kind of finesse to get good action on, an MH rod might not be perfect for it
Shouldn't matter too much though I think it'll be fine whatever you go with, it's all preference in the end