For the money you'd be hard pressed to top the new Avet JX G2. I've been running the original JX's for several seasons and my only complaint was they were just a bit light in the drag for larger fish. The new G2 with twin drag washers makes it perfect. The single speed 4.6 ratio is also just right. I have a two speed JX raptor and while two speed seems great in theory, IMHO it's just something to go wrong.
As far as rods, a good jigging rod between 5 1/2 to 6' is IMHO a great setup for that type of fishing. I'd also forget about two piece rods. I have a pair of Shimano trevalas that are two piece rods thinking I might use them for traveling in the future. Well once you've fought a few fish, you're not getting them apart.
