I prefer a baitcasting reel simply because I like fighting a fish on a baitcaster. I also always use slip bobbers. I fished with a fixed float for awhile and when I swithched to a slip float I found it much easier to adjust on the fly.
Waxing your line also gives you a much better drift and helps your hookup ratio. I found that a longer hookset, making sure all the slack is out is essential to hooking up with more fish. Make sure you reel down to the fish before you slam him.