Help me peel the onion of picking a first rod/reel

[October]

I keep it simple.

for my bigger game or bottom fishing I use a Ugly Stik tiger paired with a Daiwa Sealine X30sha. I spool that with 40lb power pro and a top shot of 20lb flouro. I double dropper loop this rig and am also able to throw irons with it.

for my medium gear, I bring a St.Croix Mojo Bass Inshore series heavy action rod rated at 2oz paired with an Abu Garcia Revo Toro Nacl50. I spool this with 30lb power pro and top shot it with line appropriate for whatever fishing I am doing. Swimbaits for calicos, irons for YT, bucktails on the bottom, etc.

two poles. thats all I need.

light gear? I dont bring light gear. its the ocean. The only time I use light gear is in the summer time when Im finesse fishing with plastics for large mouth. Then ill use a medium light Phenix Recon coupled with a Shimano Curado 50E and 4-6lb flourocarbon, usually drop shotting.