I don't fish docks much, so don't really know the answers to a lot of your questions.As for 4 and 5, hear you:

4:Grab the line with your index finger that is holding the pole (right if your right handed) where it comes out from under the bail (the wire arm). Then with your left hand, flip the bail over. swing your arm in an arc and release your fingers hold on the line as it passes your ear. I am assuming you will be going for distance, so that will work fine.

5: 20lb line will fight a 35 lb fish. I fish for bass and I use 20lb spectra which = 6 lb mono in diameter. If you don't want to lose a single fish you hook, I would use 50 lb braid. It is tough as heck, and will last you longer than mono. I can't imagine you catching anything much heavier than 10 or 20 lbs. As for the rest of your questions, go to your local tackle shop. Chances are they know how to fish there. Or they will tell you a better place to fish.