To the OP, I would buy one of these rods:

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Rains...Ntt=rod+blanks

I would buy this model: SB781-3 But the 4 piece lighter model is also a possibility, if you will fish mostly open water. Or you can go for whatever line size you prefer. The advantage of a blank is price, but more importantly a wide choice of options to chose from. And also just as important is that there are lots of old tech graphite blanks out there that are superb quality, but lack the latest in materials, these are high end products action wise, and in certain cases better than the latest. While if you buy cheap rods you don't get the action quality. A bit like a carbon frame vs. steel, except both are carbon.

For the reel, if you will be casting on the short side, I would get the smallest reel you can find that says it works with 10-12 pound, it might be pushing it but there are some huge reels out there, and you can get by with less. You can, by the way, build out the rod to suit this smaller reel size. Another advantage with the build approach. You would choose guides that suit the line and spool size of the smaller reel.