There's a nice little red article on the home page, heheheeee.... ;-)
As far as gear, all I can say is something heavy and rugged and sturdy. I think the one fish you don't want to chase with a X-mart special is a red drum. My favorite all around VA drum rod is a 10' Breakaway LDFC 100H with a Penn 525GS. Down in Hattera's I go with a heavier Pinnacle Heaver with a 535 GS. I'm in the works of another VA drum rod and plug rod, a custom Breakaway LDFC 116-2m, that I plan to put an Abu 6500 Blue Yonder on. I'm partial to the Breakaways (www.breakawayusa.com) , in my opinion its the best rod for the money. Cheaper than a Loomis or Lami, and a better rod. If they made lighter rods, I wouldn't own any Loomis rods, I can assure that. A lot of people are getting into the Diawa Sealines because they are a great rod for the money, they're not a loomis, lami, or breakaway, and won't perform like one, but they are the closest thing out there for the money and more important the budget fisherman that can't afford to drop 200$+ into a rod. Best luck to ya,
Tight lines,
Salty