As far as lines, this past year I began using Seaguar Red Label Fluorocarbon and love it. Best fluorocarbon line on the market these days in my opinion. A lot of fluorocarbon lines struggle with knot strength, not this line. Tie onto the hook using a standard Palomar knot and you're set. It is also very abrasion resistant but for the style fishing you are doing, that shouldn't be too much of an issue.
I would invest in the highest quality hooks you can find. The break offs that occur when hard hitting fish like HSB take a bait are often from dull hooks which cause more pressure to be put on the line in my opinion. For the style fishing you are looking at, I'd recommend an Octopus style hook in size 8 or 10. Get it from a hook maker that is quality. The hook really is an important part to the set up. I like Owner, VMC or Gamakatsu. The new VMC Fastgrip Octopus is nasty sharp and leads to fast hook sets without the need to jerk the rod and break the line.
I am also a huge fan of noodle rods.Noodle rods came to fame for fisherman chasing after big trout and salmon in clear streams during their spawning runs. It enabled the fisherman to utilize light lines in clear water to increase hook ups but not lose the fish to break offs. I have a few that are in the 9-12' range. The longer rod takes a lot of the shock off of the line. I started using them when using light line for hard hitting American shad that also make reel burning runs similar to HSB. I now use them to utilize light lines when chasing after other hard hitting fishing using ultra-light tackle. People often think of expensive when you think of Noodle rods. Not always the case... I like the Shakespeare Agility IM-8 Graphite Freshwater Noodle Rod, which is 10'6" in length. You can pick one up for about $50. Don't forget a quality reel with a good drag. And set the drag correctly!
