Got the age old "What do you want for xmas?". I definitely need another setup now that I'm a plugger.

The current rod I own is a Newport, 10' Medium Heavy action, 3-6 oz. lure, 15-30 lb line with a Penn 7000 reel.

Very good for heavy gear and inlet fishing (really shines there), but casting a 3/4-1 oz. bucktail, storm shad, or anything other than a big plug (think SS popper, Gibbs polaris popper or 3 oz heavy SS needle) is visibly hamstringed when it comes to just getting a decent distance (you can feel the imbalance).

I need a rod that can do back bay fishing as well as the ocean from dead calm to moderate conditions (my other rod can deal with the storms and heavy sweep).

Looking to be able to cast 3/4 oz. bucktail and Bombers and/or Redfins being the minimum weight (I dunno if anyone really uses 1/2 oz bucktails from the surf) along with riggies (only have hooks in them, no added weight other than that). Heaviest plug would be the aforementioned SS plugs listed.

Needs to be a 2 piece rod and as far as a reel goes I would have no idea where to start either, $300 would be the max for the whole setup, 350-400 I would chip in if it were REALLY worth it but I just want something to meet those conditions and be very durable.

Any suggestions would be very much appreciated!

there are lots of choices, obviously. AS far as a reel, I get a Stradic 5000 of 8000 (or similar, you'll get lots of personal preferences on that) the rod is similarly a personal choice- but I'd suggest a St Croix or Lami in 9' or 9'6". keep an eye on the classifieds here (or the other site) and you may find whatcha like

I like 10 or 10/6 rods and Penn 704z, though that would stretch your budget. At $400-450 plus line you can get into some decent stuff. Watch the adds here too.

Check the 9' Tsunami surf elite and penn spinfisher 5K. Lightweight outfit (approx 2 lb) retail$350. It's winter season and with thatn plenty buy & sell will be offered b/4 next season.

i think with your price range of $300. I think a st. croix triumph 9' with a penn spinfisher 5K would be a nice little setup to throw small bucktails, redfins, bombers, ect. Youd actually be a little under that $300 mark too.

What's the difference in having a pole 1 foot shorter or longer? Does it determine strength or cast distance?

I love my 9' st croix triumph. I pair it with a Penn 650 SSM (discontinued) but something in that class (5 to 8) or 500 to 800 or 5000 to 8000) works. 30 pound braid. sweet with 3 oz crippled herring in canal, can fell lure bounce on bottom. Throws magic swimmers and metal lips as well as swim shads and even pretty light stuff. Handled bass to 40 pounds in surf. I am not a "rod guy" i.e. those who bend the tip and feel the flex etc. but this one just feels right. loads well when casting but has good feel and adequate backbone. my 9 foot combo feels good and light enough casting all night (or at least easily handles 2 to 3 hours of the non stop I do).