I have a couple of comments on your thoughts.1.Jig hooks: Unfortunately most jigs on the market are made for fish other than steelhead and salmon and have lite wire hooks which are fine for walleye and panfish but don't work well for steelhead unless your using lite line, 6 lbs or less. Then I actually prefer a lite wire hook As for pre-tied jigs contact Rainbow Jigs at rainbowjigs@aol.com and they can set you up. They have 5 sizes and the 1/8th, 1/4 and 3/8th oz heads have hooks designed for salmon and steelhead. The 1/32nd and 1/16th oz heads have lite wire hooks and are meant for lite line fishing, though they have a mold being made for the 1/16th oz jigs that takes a heavy wire hook. They also sell jigheads for guys who tie there own or for fishing the pink worm. 2.Dink floats: Don't use them, don't like them. When I've had to use them(windy conditions) I also cut them down to a point where the jig itself will float it upright. I will sometimes use a splitshot directly under the float. 3.Stale fish: i've found patience to be the key here, as long as the fish aren't spooked. I also like a plain black jig, but usually with eyes.4.Custom float rods: the rods I use are long (11 1/2-13 feet) but I do the bulk of my fishing from the bank because I like to hike stretchs of water and get away from the crowds. In the boat I use a custom built Loomis 10'9" spinning rod that seems to work fine. I could see how it could get in the way in a 14' boat.5. bait casters: Don't use them for float fishing, prefer a spinning reel(Shimano Symetre).6.spinning reels and float fishing: You will always have some slack but with the longer rods you can move a ton of line on the hookset and will usually get them. i leave the bail open and have my left hand on the handle.If the float goes under I crack the bail shut and set hard and fast. I usually have the rod well over my right shoulder. Always set straight up, never sweep the fish to the side or you'll miss them nearly every time.7. Slack water: Those fish are everywhere at times. I've hit them in water so shallow you'd never guess they were there, with the jig set 12" below the float. I've seen them stacked by the hundreds in pools in the summer that had very little flow. It tests your patience to fish that water. Jig fishing is a ball and is my 1st love. I know when that float goes under I'm in!