I tie mine for casting about 2 feet long. I tie the loop long enough that you can slip it through a 3/4 or 1 ounce egg sinker and then connect to a swivel. This keeps it captured during casting and retrieving. I also tie a small bead inside the loop to protect the knot.

I go to 5 feet for trolling but I use snap weights at 50 feet back so the length likely doesn't matter.

I also tie on stinger treble hooks like Nick does. I use #2 main hooks and #6 trebles. I like the bigger hooks for these bigger fish. I seem to lose way less while fighting them, especially in surging waves.