If you like spinners, the Daiwa BG is an excellent choice. They run on the big size, for their displayed capacity (Eg, BG3000 is like a Penn Battle 4000). As for rods, A Penn Battalion is great, or the Prevail II, a little cheaper. If it is group charters, and dropping baits tough, the rod is less of an issue vs a surf one, or one specific for lures. Get a MH one of your preferred length (I assume 6-7ft if on a boat) and the action you prefer, brand doesn't matter as much. I have an UglyStik and fancier Daiwas, Shimanos and Penn's, fish can't tell the brand as far as I know.
Good luck.
