I like a longer rod roughly in the 6'8" to 7'2" area with a medium light action and a fast to extra fast action tip. As others have said buy a rod that is very sensitive. I use 8 lb line with this setup and catch all different species of fish from perch to walleye, bass, and wiper. A suggestion on the rod, I just tried the Shimano Crucial and they are extremely sensitive and sell for around $130. They are the best buy in the market right now IMO.