I will take fiberglass over carbon fiber anytime.
My vote is for abu garcia
Use braid Power Pro ,I use 65 lb moss green ,also use circle hooks and ball bearing swivels.A good bait casting reel and a med heavy rod,I use uglystik tiger rods. Cut bait works great on Blues.
I think it helps to attach burlap on top of the minnow trap.Minnows are seeking cover and the burlap gives them a place to hide.
Just get a creel and pull up some grass growing along the river where you are fishing,put is in the creel.Wet the creel down with the water where you are fishing. Never have lost one fish due to spoiling .Clean the fish before you leave the river,that way you can rinse the blood out of them and clean your hands.
That area is where I grew up.Your best bet for river fishing is to stay at one of the fishing resorts on the river just before you get to Blue Mesa Reservoir.
If you are fishing a stream always fish up stream.The fish will be facing into the current and you will approach them facing away from you .
For the bay I would buy used ,save a ton of money.Look for something with 8' beam but shallow draft.It really should be a bay boat,they are designed for bay fishing.Be sure to get a boat with a 4 stroke motor.
I fished 11 mile and it can get rough fast. I would not go out on it in a 12' boat.Some bodies of water require bigger boats and this is one of them.The water is very cold in 11 mile ,you would not last long if you got swamped.To much of a risk in a 12' boat.
When I fly I only bring 2 piece rods and have hard cases for them. Try to find a case you can leave the reel on.
I did an 1100 mile boat trip on the inland water ways .I bought a huge Igloo cooler ,worst cooler ever .I can't believe how much ice I had to buy anytime we could get it. The cooler was covered with a wet blanket and the sun was behind the clouds 90% of the time .This Igloo is the model is with a small door in the top so you don't have to open the big door . When I got home from that trip I bought a Yeti cooler , all is good now.