Although I don't have a lot of opportunity to use either technique in the lakes I fish up north, there is the odd occasion around docks, weed mats, and a few fallen trees/logs where I'll pick up the big stick. I use an old BPS HM54 Pro Qualifier 7'6" Heavy Action rod, teamed with an equally old Abu Garcia Black Maxx 5600 reel. I've always had the reel spooled with 20# Trilene Big Game (and to be honest haven't changed the line since I originally set it up almost 17 years ago!). I've caught fish on it, and generally like the set up. I can't set the spool brake too loose, as it has a tendency to overrun, and my pitching skill being what it is, gets me 30 to 35 feet or so with a heavy jig or 1/2 oz + worm weight. All this being said, I have a couple questions for you folks more learned in the subject.

1) What is a fair or average distance a person should be able to 'pitch' to be effective with that technique (and where's the line between 'pitch and 'cast')?

2) I'm gonna hang with the current rod / reel combo....should I change my line choice (ie. go to braid, Fireline, floro, or different mono), and what line type specifically have you found to work best for you and why?

Many thanks.