best line for long casts???

I've enjoyed greater success since I started using slip-bobbers for crappie and gill fishing with my short (6' and 5'6") fishing poles, but still don't get quite the distance that others near me do. I have Trilene XL on most of my rigs, as I love the price and don't have many complaints for performance. From perching to steelheading tippet, it works great BUT, I have noticed that I don't cover as much water as others, and I think it's more the line than the length of rod. I used to have a sweet little rig that was given to me. It had a strong, lite line and cast for miles seamingly, but I had no idea what was loaded on it, and unfortunately it was stolen. I'd rather invest in new line than new poles, so maybe I can get some suggestions. I've seen some using fluorocarbon and some even using lite braids... so let the preaching begin:

Started using 4lb. p-line flourocarbon a few years back and have been pretty impressed with it. Casts a mile and has very low memory. As far as rod length goes, think you'd be suprised at the difference that 1 - 1.5ft makes in ease of flingging those small jigs. Couldn't convince my dad until I bought him a 7' pole for fathers day last year. He'll never look back.

I made the switch from mono line to fluorocarbon line last year and I must admit, it impressed me. I have a 6 1/2 foot pole and I used 8 lb line for everything. What I liked most about it was I could cast further, even when the line was wet. It added an additional 10 feet onto each cast. Also, I couldn't believe the sensitivity in the line,not to mention the strength of it too. It made a small fish feel bigger than what it was. Something thing else I liked, I didn't have much knots or tangles in my reel. It made casting easier. I tried Stren's Vanish line, but I'm going to try Trilene's this year just as a comparison.

Sorry but if you want true distance your gonna have to invest in 12'-14' ul crappie (or better yet if you are willing to order from the uk) match rods, a 1/64 oz jig a tiny balsa thrill float and I'm blasting past those with egg bobbers ....I been doing well with 2-4lb Maxima Line on my setup but imo line is only minor to rod/reel choices when trying to get distance.

I think the lightest powerpro is 8lb but it has the diameter of around 2lb.
Heavy mono works good for backing and helps fill the spool
Backing is needed because it is slippery and spins on the reel without it.
Guess how I learned that

First off I agree with Mountain Man,get a longer rod. I bought and love a true 7 ft UL,it's a Gander Mountain series. I also fish early bulls and slabs.Instead of a slip bobber I use a lead weighted "jiggin bobber" and can power cast with 4lb XL trilene very well.When fishing off a high bank I've set it as deep as 10 foot and still cast great.It also has control to pull a big gill out of the cover than a short rod.I've also use a 10 and 12 foot noodle rod but theres to much brush to cast and I get into more trouble than with the 7 footer.