7' 1 pc Baitcaster Heavy Action/Fast
30 pound braid
6:1 Baitcaster, flipping bar if you want, I don't use one though.
Depends, sometimes you can get a reaction strike if you drop it right in. In fact I missed one on Sunday when a bass crushed my jig immediately after it came off the log.
I'd start out with a 1/4 ounce black/blue jig with a 4" black w/ blue fleck Berkley Chigger Craw trailer. This combo WILL catch fish.