New to bass fishing. Have surf fished and trout fished for many years.

Question I need help with: Should I have different rods and baitcast reels for different types of baits? For example- one type of rod and reel for crankbaits and a different set up for carolina rigs, etc. Thanks!

Yes, it would be best to have a few different rods for different applications.  This will optimize your fishing expeience, and in most cases help you catch more fish.  For example, for crankbaits generally you would want a 7 foot or so rod with medium action and a moderate tip.  For fishing texas rigs, you would want a heavier rod, like a Med/Hvy to a Hvy, fast action, so you have more power to drive that hook home.  You can be set with only say 2-3 rods though, that can cover all applications.  I know Roadwarrior made a thread not too long ago about three different type of rods, that are good to start out with.  

I agree that technique/application specific rigs are the way to go.  Personally, I'm moving toward several 7' heavy/fast action rods, a few with braid, one with FC, and a few with copoly.  Add to that, the "specialty" rods: DS rod, flipping stick, heavy cranks, light to med. cranks, a shorter TW rod (I'm short, so a 6' suits me) and a 7' MH/fast spinning rod for stuff that doesn't quite fit.

Sounds like a lot?  I don't like retying, and in a tournament, I like to keep two or three identical rigs, baits and all, ready to go.

For general, recreational fishing, I like to have a medium spinning rod and a MH casting rod.  Those two rigs, a small tackle bag, a camera, and scale are all you need.

There are so many different possibilities and factors in choosing as rod, as J Francho just showed you lol.  For right now I think it would be best to keep it simple.  Just pick out a rod for cranking, jigs/plastics, and a general purpose rod like a 6'6 medium or something.  Then when you get the feel for what your preferences are for each technique, then you can start narrowing down your rod choices, to what fits you best.  Like J Francho like to have several 7' heavy/fast action rods, mabye you would prefer 6'6 heavy/fast action rods, or med/hvy rods.  

No it's a trap the Bait Monkey uses to get you to spend to much on tackle  

No it's a trap the Bait Monkey uses to get you to spend to much on tackle  

lol.

As a beginner just get yourself a nice combo that can be used for many applications.  A Med / Fast rod or MH/fast and then build your arsenal from there.  Unless of course you've got deep pockets and won't mind replacing a lot of rigs at once when you feel like upgrading.  

Welcome aboard!

These might help:

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1196114229

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1141187546

8-)

Yup those are the links I was thinking of.

Thanks for all the advice!  I appreciate the help.