Various line choices

[Fish On]

Need to respool a few rods. What would folks recommend for:

Surfcasting rod with Penn 8500 reel: Plan to use this for stripers off the beach (plugs and eels) as well as the occasionally school bluefin casting from a boat. I'm thinking 50 lb powerpro or fireline. Like the strength, casting distance, and line capacity. My only reservation is wind knots.

Medium boat rod with Penn 330GTI level wind reel: Use for deep water bait and jig fishing for cod and haddock as well as trolling for stripers and bluefish. Leaning towards the same line as above for the feel/sensitivity and deep water fishing in heavy current. I would like to have a little stretch for the trolling, but I use these rods for both types of fishing and the mono just doesn't cut it bottom fishing in deep water.

Thoughts on these or other choices? Would you use a backing or top shot on either or just fill it complete?