I have to agree with the choice of an Ugly Stick or St Croix rod and a Shimano or Okuma reel. All get great reviews no matter where you look. Field and Stream just named the Shimano Sienna 2500 as a Best Buy for 2012, for example.
I'd also go with a braided line. Today's braids have amazing strength at the diameter of mono that tests a third as much. I just spooled a spinning outfit for walleye with 8-lb Spider Wire braid with a 10-ft fluorocarbon leader.
