AFTCO spend more get the very best ! I’ve got 2 of their rain suits nothing gets thru & they are made like iron !

Way to loose for tackling any bigger fish , it will bury itself and jam up ‘
I would dump it put it back on using a machine or glove to add tension !
What # test is that looks heavy for your use .

It’s a simple hi - lo rig , used primarily in bottom fishing from a boat . The wire arms keep bait extended so they do not tangle in a current or when dropping baits down .
This particular model probably used more in freshwater today , however there are uses for smaller fish in salt bottom fishing !

Only knot you will ever need for average fishing applications is the uni knot ! This knot is satisfactory for mono and braid ! Ties a great loops also !
Fish under 100#’s 👍✅

I personally prefer graphite handles except for my salt rods some of those have EVA grips far more sensitive and as light or lighter the cork!

Always knots to top shots

I fish trout all winter in harsh conditions at times and use a pair of Aquaz Zip 4 ply bootfoots with Boggs insulated ,
5 season no issues with zip and can allow the adding of more clothes if required !
One issue cold weather zipper can get tough but I spray with silicone that fixes that issue !
Luv mine !

Get a Teeny mini tip , install 5-6’ level leader 3x is fine for most trout streams . If you in close quarters up line one size .
I’ve used this set up for 30 seasons worked out fine , however bigger rivers I go to a head or Teeny T series best underwater line ever made !!

Best bang for buck Daiwa Alexa , they hold up really well in fresh and salt ! I have both HS and std , 4 years plenty of use no issues !

Daiwa best reels and value for the dollar ! Shimano lives off of hype but they do lhss as be an excellent line of big game reels !

Except for manufacturing there’s little difference in how you cast them, some swear by the older models for casting ease and distance if properly calibrated !

Luv those power handles , they make the reel ! Earlier models way back when you had to get custom handles , today everyone smartened up ! Good luck !👍🍀

No your weight forward line requires the taper to be accessed to fully utilize line abilities !
The DT gradually allows you to access taper thus loading the rod more evenly and gives you more line weight in close or at shorter lengths ! If you one up the DT the load qualities
will come into play quicker .
What your describing is backwards , the WF works best when fully accessed the DT gradually access a taper so can load easier with less line out !
Utilize and learn a tip cast if you have room , If not the simple mend will perform better with short lengths of line then any WF

Go spinning bot get a 7.6 UL casting rod from EDGE rod company ! I have one and with 10 # Sunline mono will cast light lures with ease !
Low profile reels will cast somewhat better then std round reels but that 4600 should be fine !

The WF is just that heavier taper in a shorter length of line ! The thickest part of taper is confined to front of line makes stealthier presentations in small waters more difficult .
The DT consists of a longer finer taper that makes close in presentation easier , the elongated taper presents smaller flies attached to lighter longer leaders easier and gentler presentations in tight quarters catch more fish
Plus you now have 2 lines the back end is the same as front taper