Advice From the Pros

[B Slate]

If it broke at the knot it was because of a bad not.
I use thirty pound spectra on almost all of my reels and it held up fine.
You can bump up to a higher pound test and it will cut through kelp better
but it won't cast and handle as well which is fine if you only use the reel
to troll with. I like my top shot to be shorter than the rod for casting.
Remember to retie your rig once in a while so theres no kinks that can lessen the strenth of your rig.
As for knots i always use the uni to uni because its simple and it has held up for me.