Braid can/will tighten down and the spool will spin. The backing gives the braid support and it will also save you some $$ when loading the reel. A Penn 330 will take about 30 yds or so of 80# dacron and 300 yds + of 65 # braid.

Wooly - for a rod, the Shakespeare Tidewater BTW SURR with roller tip at 6' should work for you. Loomis and Lamiglas also make a nice looking halibut stick.