I am highly new to using a baitcasting reel. I have a Quantum Burst 6.3.1 gear ratio reel. And a quantum medium-heavy rod. What line should i use for less birdsnests? Mono or braided what gets tangles less? What helps in less line lossed dude to the teeth in the Northern pike?

I’m going Pike fishing in the dead stream between Houghton lake, MI and 127. It has murkey waters, with channels about 6-8 ft deep x 20 ft across, running through a flood plain thats almost always has about 2 ft of water in it. What is the best lure or live bait to use? What part of the channel should I fish in? Any tips or tricks? Ive only reeled one pike out of here before, and I took it with a pike minnow. I mostly just wind up with bass or dog fish on my line.