i like using a bait casting rod. i bought a diawa reel for 60 bucks. (i like it a lot) and a shakespear 7' light medium rod, i like the light medium a lot, it makes it easier to tell if your getting a bite, or bumping into rocks. and it also feels like they are fighting a lot more. the rod was 25 bucks. so 85 bucks and you got yourself a bad ass setup for bass. also look in the paper, a lot of places are having sales on fishing gear around this time. best of luck.