Light line fishing is awesome....Especially in low water conditions like now. The 6'6 rod is a little short for steelies, but hey, he managed. Must have been in a great hole. With a longer rod, say 9ft or 9'6 you can really get away with the lighter line. The line diameter and hook size is very common to summer run methods or "boondogging" techniques used by many these days. Great job......Dan