Just ordered the 6'10 M Powell Endurance spinning rod and I hope it balances well with my 2500 Stradic CI4.  After 30 plus years of fishing starting to upgrad my arsonal.  Bought a St Croix ltb medium 701 last year, which is light years more sensitive than any rod I have but it is very tip heavy.  I do most of my fishing from a canoe on the Greenbrier river which is mostly calm but has a couple class III rapids.  I use spinning gear and have contemplated getting a bait caster setup.  My preferred fishing is topwater. What rods and reels would you suggest a beginner start with bait casting gear.  Prefer to buy good quality 100 to 200 per rod or reel.

Look at the Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth 6'10" MF and a Lews Tournament Pro in either the 6.4 or 7.1 gear ratio.  A Curado 50E/51E goes great on this rod, but is a used only option...unless you get extremely lucky.

 

The Fenwick ETS 6'9" MXF is another option if you prefer that action tip, but has a little narrower lure range.  Mine is still in the plastic wrapper, but will get used this year...come hell or high water. 

 

Lots of good reel choices.  Patriarch, Lexa 100, Alphas F,  Curado, Chronarch, Zillion (love mine!), Revo S, used reels include Patriarch XT, Fuego, older Curados and Chronarchs, Premier Gen 2, Alphas, TD-X, TD-Z, STX Gen 2, etc., etc.

 

A guy could wind up spending more money than he should.  What am I talking about?  I already have!