YaknBassn

Given your budget, there are a TON of options available to you. I love the Revo series by Abu Garcia. If you look around, you can find the Gen 3 Revos on sale for an excellent price. As far as rods go, I really like Denali rods. The Attax and Kovert rods are excellent for their respective price range ($120-$150). You seem to have an idea of what you want, just pull the trigger on something. Everyone has a different opinion on what "best" is. Once you get into the sport a bit more, you'll start to find specific things you like.

Black/Blue Gambler Swim Jig with a 3.5" Cane Thumper

Don't use anything other than reel oil. Abu Garcia makes reel oil. Just don't get carried away with oil and grease. It'll actually cause more problems.

I typically use a reel in the 6.4:1 range. Fast enough to burn 'em, but easy enough to slow down and slow roll.

I impulse bought a Revo STX and now I need a rod. I'm liking the Daiwa Tatula rods, but I like the looks of the Ark Rods, speciffically the Invoker and Viper series. Has anyone fished them? I don't have a local dealer, so I would be buying blind, but they look so nice. I'll primarily use it as a Texas rig and jig rod, 3/8oz and up.