Choose a castaway rod like an XP-3 gonna have a bunch on sale At the CHAG'S Show this weekend Come check them out i would see about a medium to medium heavy rod if you fish the lake alot.

ugly stick light hands down, i carry the two peice ones in my truck at all times.

I am definitely going to stop by Chags, as that is where i usually buy all of my equipment. But I do have some fgift certificates for academy that I need to use as well.

If you are looking to start with a baitcaster there is no need to sink a ton of money into a rod. Allstar makes some really affordable rods and they are pretty good. Also American rodsmith have some at Acaddemy also, something like Apex or something they also have another rod its black and gold. Its either called Platinum or Tournament/ Very Very nice. I looked at one last night. Also the Castaway Dudley rods are on sale at the Academy on Esplanade. I do have to say that there is nothing like a nice rod and reel. But you can find a decent rod for less than 70 bucks or so, especially if you are gonna just try a baitcaster out. When you get good at fishing with one then go get a really nice set up. I would look at a medium action. I like meduim or medium light depending on how the rod feels. Cant go wrong with a medium though. And I would recommend 7 foot. Can cast more accuratly and will catch moer fish

7' Medium Heavy Action - I like Castaway. The Dudley edition is on sale at Academy in Slidell too.

out of the 4 you listed, I love the look and feel of the allstar inshore. 7 foot in a medium light configuration. Also if you are going to be popping corks often, I would look into a rod that has a shorter base so that it doesn't extend beyond the elbow when you are popping.( a friend commented on this and it really made alot of sense)

just testing a baitcaster out just getcha a fiddy dolla all star or castaway

I fish with 7' or 7'6" light to medium light rods. I love to fish top water and to me it seems easier to walk the Dog on top that water with a light rod and also you can catch a 12" trout and it feels like a 16" red fighting. Lots of fun. There is a man in Central that makes custom rods out of Falcon blanks. Great rods! I have one of his 7'6" with a Curado on it and it is the smoothest rig I own.