I just bought a exs 96 L rod for steelies and salmon. I bought it mainly to swing/bounce small bits of roe/floats and small lures. Is this good use of the rod and are any other techniques that rod will excel at?

P-Line Hydrofloat has gotten a lot good press lately, is that line a good match with this rod? I worried that the guides aren't meant to handle braid, and also, worried that the rod can't take the shock of braid.

Adam