Lure Weight Question

I'm looking at getting some rods for inshore fishing. I've never really thought about this much fishing freshwater in the past, but for lure weight and a jig setup, would it be based on the weight of the jig only (I.E. lure weight is 1/4 ounce when using a 1/4 ounce jig) or do I need to include the weight of the bait too (I.E. a 1/4 ounce jig and Gulp Shrimp might be 1/2 ounce together)?

You would need to include the weight of the jighead and bait. I don't put a whole lot of thought into this honestly. Usually a medium to medium light action rod will do the trick. Everyone is different on what they like. Personally I like a rod that is pretty light at the tip and then has some backbone to it further down. I will usually "play" with a new rod a little at the store and try to see what it is like. My rods are 1/4 - 5/8 oz, but like I said I pay more attention to the feel of it. Hope that makes sense!!

Medium is pretty standard. You don't want to bludgeon the fish, especially with trout. Everyone wants to get big, heavy rods for saltwater. Unless you're bottom fishing for huge fish, don't do this. Trout have very soft mouths. You'll rip the hook out if you pull too hard. Steady pressure is what you need. And if you plan on chucking lures for a long time, lighter rods are easier to handle. You'll be less fatigued.

Medium power and medium action is what I was thinking. I might get a medium-light too.

I was just curious and I figured you needed to include the weight of the bait.

Thanks to both for the feedback!

medium action for sure is fine for trout, redfish, flounder.

My bass fishing rigs versus my saltwater bay fishing rigs are very similar except for line and lure.

I use med-light...7'BC rod for trout and flatfish.
I don't target Bull Reds....if I did I'd use a MH..7ft.

I'm going after reds (20-28") and trout.

Are we talking bait casting or spinning rods? One guy I know really likes a heavier action for sticking in the hook on flounder and horsing in fish quickly from out of sharp structure like reef. He just adjusts his drag accordingly for trout. He's a big tournament fisherman so you can see the point of getting them in quickly.

I like a softer tip, medium light rig. I like the softer tip for make tricky little casts in between structure. It's easier for me to back hand cast with a soft tip rod and to throw lighter 1/16 ounce jig heads. Topwater rods usually have stiffer tips, but a medium light rod is good for topwaters once you get used to it. Then you get into rod lengths. I like the 6'6" +/- a little. I just never liked the longer rods, but I mainly fish standing from a boat or kayak. I think if I waded more, I'd like to use something like a 7' rod. All this is for baitcasting set ups.

I haven't used a spinning reel much in the salt. If you do a lot of popping/ rattling cork fishing one of those might be nice.

I'll mostly be fishing with a popping cork or light jig so I'm going to get some M/M spinning rods. I'll get a baitcaster too but not for the first trip.