Unless you are backpacking get a one or two piece rod. 6'-7'.

I use 18# Power Pro on Calcutta and Ambassadeur (yes that's the way it's spelled) reels. I don't have a bait caster younger than 25 YO. Brakes on the Calcuttas but not on the Ambsssadeurs. The tension knob is much more important than brakes. It must be adjusted every time you change baits. I have very few back lashes and can cast as far as most spinning reels, I do use a lot of spinning reels too. Try this, as you cast rotate your wrist so that the handle is on top of your reel. Spool will now be vertical and for some reason I read years ago it lessens backlashes. Something about physics. Good luck and practice makes all most perfect.

You don't mind putting a hook in a fish so why care about live bait?

Will a snell knot work better with an offset hook eye?

I don't know where you fish but here in south Louisiana if we took the time to poison, club, bleed or inject morphine we wouldn't have time to catch fish. On a great fishing trip with 3 fisherman in a boat we have the potential of catching 75 speckle trout, 15 redfish, 15 black drum and 30 flounders. Also sheepshead and croakers. So just throw the fish in the ice box and keep fishing. This isn't to say we have trips like this every day but big catches here are a way of life.

Starting around $500.Their pliers are $300+.How long would it be before you dropped them overboard?

Dexters keep a good edge.

Reels starting in the $500 range aren't what most of us need. And it's Van Staal.

Most of us don't have an unlimited bank account to buy reels that start in the $500 range.