Thanks, MacMac. Just my personal experience, "WalMart fishing" is hit or miss...mostly miss. I usually know what I'm looking for, and my inquiries are usually met with "if we carry it, it should be over there..." Gee, thanks.
I do have a decent spinning reel, with a reversible crank and drag knob on the butt of the reel. I'm pretty anal about stripping it down and caring for the innards. Probably comes from my Jersey Shore saltwater roots where neglect equals corrosion.
Serious questions: 1. I believe the lighter the better. I need new line anyway; what lb.test can I drop to for general bass angling? 2. If I fall into money I want to upgrade my rod. I'm thinking one piece 6 1/2 to 7 foot medium action. Yes? No?