If you are in a place where you have big cats[10 and overpounds] your rig will be fine. Ugly sticks are just that but for the price thet are impossible to beat. An over looked bait is chicken strips[raw] let em sit out for a day or so, they are easier to use than livers and work quite well. I'd go to a 30lb braid[6lb dia].A bank fishing tip, wrap a rubber band around the lower part of your rodjust above the reel. After youmake your cast, make a loop of fishing line and pass it through the rubber band, and leave your bail open, when that loop goes away, set the hook.