Krome,

RT summed it up pretty well. A couple more things. I recommend the longer rods. A 9.5 footer is OK too, but the 10-11 footers make it much easier to keep your line off the water. The long rods are a pain in the a$$ to carry through brush when fishing small streams, but you can actually cast them easier than a shorter rod when fishing in tight areas, since you can cast them with a flick of the rod tip.

For lines, I would stick to something a little limper than some of those RT mentioned. Berkely XL isn't the best line made as far as strength and abrasion resistance, but it falls of a spinning reel rather than "jumping" off the spool like a stiffer, stronger line would. If you use a limp line, keep a good eye on it for nicks and abrasions, and cut them out as needed.

You'll want to get some 1/16, 1/8, and 1/4 oz. jigs. I prefer the bead-bodied marabou types, and I use the 1/8 oz. size in most conditions, and adjust up or down depending on water clarity and targeted specias. Cerise, cerise/white, and cerise/black would be a good start in color choices.

Fish your jig between 6" and 6 feet off the bottom so you cover the water column, and make sure your line isn't laying in the water, dragging your float and jig downstream.

Good luck.........another jig whore in the making .