Shimano Baitrunner is a good, reliable reel for soaking bait, or for live-lining. The regular Baitrunner at around a hundred is fine, no need to spend the extra dough for a Thunnus.
Don't buy any of the other baitrunner reels, Tica, Okuma or whatever. They aren't that much cheaper than a Shimano and won't hold up as well.
Rods? Get a good custom from mikecc. Get a spinning rod built on the Lamiglas SB 121 3M blank, and your grandkids will be catching fish on it 50 years from now. The difference in price between that and something like a Penn or Daiwa won't be all that much. It can also do ya well for throwing big poppers and heavy jigs if the urge comes over you
