I bought a new rod this year, baitcasting. I ended up going with the new Shimano cumara. light weight and sensitive, I would put it up against loomis, st. croix, falcon, etc. I bought the 6'8", but wish I would have bought the 7'2". There is a gentleman on here who also makes custom rods, reasonably priced, but I cannot remember his name, maybe someone can help me out.
As far as reels, I am a Shimano man. All curados here.