I fish meldahl alot and the way I fish up here for the hybrids for top water it is called a launcher with a 12`6" rod that throws a one to six ounce with a diawa emblem pro reel with power pro 20/6. I dont know that application of your fishing but this same princible should work down there. Look up the laucher on www.flexcoat.com you dont have to have the launcher but the same princible should work down there, I rig the launcher at top barrel swivel with my braid and then at the bottom of the barrel swivel I rig 30lb mono because it is stiff and wont tangle and a bait hook with a white shad body three inch white from action-plastics.com and a mustab baitholder hook. I throw it out in the gates and let it float with the flow or throw it where the fish are busting the water. Depending on how close you are you can do the same thing with a catfish float or small weighted float. I am telling you this can be deadly.