Looking to get a combo set up for just the snooks, jacks and whatever else I can catch in the inlet area. I also fish the spillway quite often. Im not looking for something extravagant, and don't want to risk my bass setups to the salt. I would hate to rust out some gears or drag plates. Anyways, I was thinking this setup:

Powel Disel 7'6" XF/H

Daiwa Millionare S 300

What do you guys think? When at the spillway Im usually fishing an ounce or more when the gates are open.

That set up will work just fine throwing plugs and jigs, even if it is a Daiwa, hahaha.

With all due respect to my buddy Bassn and any other of the bass fisherman that fish in the salt on occasion, baitcasting equipment is seldom seen, just the way it is, 1000's of saltwater anglers can't be wrong. Not that a b/c can't be used, but for the most part conventional reels are used for live and cut bait.

Many of the techniques are similar to bass fishing, but that's where it ends. You will not tail drag fish and land them in 30 seconds or less. The rod size is dependent on where you are fishing, you can use lighter gear off a beach but a seawall, jettie or an inlet with lots of current IMO requires more backbone, sensitivity is of no issue. I feel a lot of line capacity is a must, 20# braid should be sufficient. If there are snook a good chance tarpon are there too, let the gear do the work and learn to pull up and reel down on the slack and take your time, don't get excited. What the heck, these fish are only 20 pounds or so that can strip out a 100 yds of line, no big deal.....lol.

Thanks for the advice. I only chose baitcasting, because I'm much more comfortable casting and retrieving with it. I could be persuaded to go spinning, but I really don't know much about good spinning setups!

Use what you are more comfortable with, one big advantage to spinning is the price. Now is the time to catch them.

Is the Daiwa Coastal 3500 any good? Seeing it for $80 on "that auction site" brand new. Also looking at the Temple Fork Outfitters G Loomis SIgnature series 7'6" F/H 1/2oz-1 1/2oz 10-25lb rod or 7'6" F/M 1/4-3/4oz 6-12lb (which would be a better fit?). That would put me at a little more than I was thinking of spending, but would it be better?

I prefer a 4000 over a 3500 size reel, I do have a Daiwa tierra 3000 which I mainly use for smaller fish or from the beach. A 7'6 6/12 rod is not going to have the backbone you need, the 10/25 would be more of a consideration. Not being familar with that rod brand I can't say yea or nay, I use a Star steller lite 7' 10/20 max 2 oz lure or Hurricane redbone 7'6 10/20 max 1 oz lure.