I bought a Shimano Symetre 2500FL today for bass fishing.  Is a Berkley Lightning Spinning Rod 6'6" Medium a good rod for this?  They also had this rod at Academy in a medium / light spinning but I am afraid it would be too "whippy"...anyway, is this rod good enough for this reel (I won't spend over $80 on a rod but with the Rod Riot going on at Academy Sports I wanted to capitalize on the best thing for me at this time...I got this Lightning Rod for $25) and did NOT get the Shock Rod.

 

I find the Ligtning Rods to be a bit heavy for my liking.  are you close to a bass pro? Very soon they will have a rod trade in. You could get a heck of a rod for $25 off. the Academy website has The St. Croix Mojo Bass rod for $70. They also have the Abu Garcia Veritas for $70 which have both had rave review as well.  Personally, I am going to get an abu Garcia Veritas. I think with such a nice reel you would want a rod that would better match it. I would spend the money on one of those two, I think it will help with your fishing experience.

The lighting rods are very good for the price. 

It will serve you fine. If and when you want to upgrade to a higher-sensitivity rod, then do so.

sounds like a great light crank/jerk bait set up.

For 25 bucks you couldn't do better. It will be a good all around setup for lighter tactics and open water. the reel is a great reel and would be right at home with more expensive rod when you want better sensitivity and less weight, you will enjoy your new setup! 

Funny, I can remember when Berkley LIghtning rods were THE top of the line.  You couldn't get a graphite rod that was any better at any price, (well, maybe Fenwick or Loomis at the time)   Anyway, I think that it is neat that good technology gets a little cheaper over time.

My Lightning rod tip is pretty stiff and it's a

Medium. I'd do what the others said, the BPS rod trade in. You can get trade in a rod and get a Veritas or St. Croix Mojo cheaper than $99.

Try the Berkley Shock.   Improvement over the old design