I haven't been into fishing very long. A few years ago I just went to dick's abd bought a spinning combo just so I could get out there and fish. It was a Shimano Zuraca combo listed here: http://www.amazon.com/Shimano-ZUR250066M...pr_product_top.

Once I realized I enjoyed fishing and wanted to get into it more, I decided to reward myself with a nicer rod. My friend talked me into a baitcaster. After much research I got an Abu Garcia Revo SX (on sale) on a Fenwick Eagle GT 7' Medium-Heavy Fast Action

I still enjoy my spinning reel but now that I understand bearings and such a little more, I know I could get a better setup. But I have several questions.

1) What power, action, and length should I look for on my rod?
2) What line capacity and gear ratio should I get for the reel?

I still don't know tons about fishing. I understand different lures and retrieve methods, but I don't know a lot about techniques or what I'm specifically going for so I can't provide that information to help

What type of fishing will you be doing and what is your budget.

Reggie

I will be doing mostly bank/shore fishing and I would like to keep the combo below $100.

I was thinking the Pflueger President 6730 or this Daiwa http://www.gandermountain.com/modperl/pr...mp;merchID=4006 in the RG2000

I was going to put it on a Berkley Lighting Medium-Light Fast 6'6"

Would this be good for top water/jigs/rooster tails? Possibly even shallow (1/2') crankbait?

I throw most of my topwater and crankbaits on baitcast tackle unless they are 3/16ths oz and under. I'm a big fan of Pflueger reels and use them quite a bit. For your price range I would look into All Star, Ugly Stiks and BPS house rods depending on if you're fishing freshwater or saltwater. I'm not a fan of Berkley rods at all!

Also, you may try brands like Shimano and Falcon that have a wide range in functions and prices of their rods. You can start with a beginner rod and work your way up to what ever level you feel comfortable with. One of the first rods I bought with my own money was a 6'6" Medium spinning Shimano rod that cost about $30. It's still a great rod and has opened my eyes to their whole line up. I now have a few Shimano rods that are bit more expensive.