Shimano trevala s in medium or teramar also in medium action.

I really would suggest learning to use a bait casting reel. It's so much more efficient for jigging for rf/lings. Can't really mess up (bird's nest) since you're only dropping your line and not casting.

As for a rod, I love my Shimano MEdium trevala. I've caught rf, big lings, ocean salmon, 41" halibut, anchovies, sand dabs, croakers, rays, sharks, etc on it. As long as you know how to play your fish and set your drag right, you should be ok.

I'm also looking for a jigging setup, so I'm watching the rod recommendations too but if y'all can suggest some reels that'd be great. I prefer conventional / baitcasting reels personally.

shimano curado 301.calcutta 301-401.daiwa luna from the 203-300 and so on

I got a trevala they are really nice rods, but you can't go wrong with a ugly stick tiger rod.

Reels: For the price and specs I prefer the penn squall, unless you want to spend a little more bank a fathom is nice too. A lot if people really seem to like the daiwa lexa for the high capacity low profile. Those old school penny reels are bullet proof too but not that light weight.

I'm also looking for a jigging setup, so I'm watching the rod recommendations too but if y'all can suggest some reels that'd be great. I prefer conventional / baitcasting reels personally.

I have a 300 series Curado, great drag, light weight, $200. Added a power handle upgraded to ceramic bearings to the tune of another $100. Outstanding but IMO doesn't fell like a three hundred dollar reel just a bit small and high maintenance for a steady diet of salt water. The Lexa 300 is interesting and a bit cheaper. My current thinking is that a Cardiff 400/401, while no larger than the Curado, at about $100 is the way to go. Use it a season, replace the drag then use it another season or two. For a higher end reel the American made Release Reel SG is the current object of my desire. Although I would buy a Calcutta or Avet used from someone who cared for their gear at the right price. I see people use big old bullet proof Newells and Penns with no complaints. They seem to work better than small reels when they are less than well tuned. Rods are a matter of personal taste I think Med or Med Heavy in the 6'6" - 7' range with a butt section I can set in my hip and not longer. Remember you aren't going to be reeling against the drag so you'll want a rod with adequate backbone to lift a fish yet limber enough to keep that hook pressure constant. A soft tip is good for detecting takes while fishing swimbaits. Whatever you choose for a rod get one short enough that you can get the fish within gaff range without holding the rod so upright that a large fish breaks the tip off.  my two cents, Amos

spinning rod I dunno....


casting setup I use Revo Toro, cardiff 300 or tekota 500 on trevala (M), travala S (M) , Tigerlite (MH) or OceanMaster (MH) depending on drift conditions