well shifty, since I liked your song on the "fuge", i'll let you in !! ditch that fctm and buy a I-pilot that's 1st. secondly get on grizzley jig co. interweb site and buy you some hi-tek rod holders, the newer ones... cant think of the name but have a deeper v in front for pulling crank baits off the side, and think about an extre base for them to move to. now comes the rod's/reel's-- grizzley sells all flavors and after buying that I-pilot you should check out the pinnacle rod's. they cheap but good enough to start out with. I also read on here the other day about the firecast rod's, which were cheaper than most too. reels are personal preference, think about size during transport... not while in the holder. back to the rod's 12' are ok but I suggest 14' long to get bait farther away from the boat. 1 more thing is a fnder with gps for speed control...and driftsocks to keep it slow in the wind...while on the website order some pre tied double minnow rigs... lite wt. for calm- heavy for windy days. get 8 rods and 2-4 pole holders, and 2 more floor seat bases, cause you will be wanting to take your buddies !! after this look on here and get one of creekslick's transport racks and you will look like a Conway lake "pro"