EWG

I read that Jimmy Houston did extensive tests on knot stength. A knot he developed with a buddy, the Jimmy Houston knot, he claims is 100%. I personally don't tie it. He said about the next best knot is the trilene knot. Usually I tie a palomar. Iaconelli says NEVER USE A PALOMAR with flourocarbon. It burns the line. He suggests an improved clinch. In which case I would use the trilene knot. I like the trilene in that case because it passes the line thru the eye twice like the palomar. Common sense tells you that has to make it stronger. Most importantly, tie your knots carefully. EWG

It depends what your doing. If your slinging a crank bait as far as you can, the 7ft (softer) rod is fine. If your skipping a bait under docks in close quarters, a 5 - 5 1/2 works well. And etc. for everything in between. Personally, I'm thinking your all around (spinning) rod to be about 6ft. Your (bait casting) cranking rod 7. EWG

Your getting good information. The 6'6' you have would be better in a longer length for crank baits to keep your lure in the strike zone longer (longer cast) but it would work just fine. It sounds like a good top water rod. Woo Davies likes to worm with a spinning rod. A spin rod for plastics is fine. You can skip your bait under docks with it as well. I personally would be looking for a 6'6' MH rod with a fast tip. Definitely a sensative graphite rod. (I'm guessing you would mostly be using a texas rigged type presentation). Spend some $, you'll be better in the long run for it. There are some very good rods on the market in the 80 - 100 dollar range. (all star comes to mind) Everybody has their own preference. My guess is you don't need to spend for something like a kistler or a Loomis.