Luckily, the Bass Pro Shop in Clarksville IN is only a fifteen minute drive from my house, so that's the good part... won't have to pay shipping (I always hate that) and will get the opportunity to play around with it before buying.

Most of the bait I have (from just buying at the shops and at the Jim Strader Expo) are crankbaits, and that's what I plan on playing with first (even though, I've got plenty of other options - jigs, plastic worms & shad, and whatever else I'll probably buy while I'm there!!!). So do you think I'd be better off looking at the medium action rod instead of the medium heavy? And yeah, I'm pretty much gonna be learnin' - and with temps supposed to be close to 70 on Wednesday, I'm hoping to run down to the Ohio River and practice casting off a dock I know of down there...