Obviously everyone has their favorites and what works for you is the best for you. I've owned or tried about everyone on the market at around $100 or less and these are my favorites:

Casting - 6' Falcon BuCoo or 6'9" Falcon BuCoo with spinning reel and Vicious hi-vis.
Dipping/Pitching - 10' Huckabee Meat Draga, 10' ProAngler or (up close) 8' ProAngler all with baitcast reels and 8-10 lb Vicious hi-vis.
Jig & Cork - 8' BnM Float & Fly rod or 8' ProAngler with spinning reel and Vicious hi-vis.
Strolling, Pulling Jigs, Pulling or Pushing Cranks - 11' Huckabee Pulling rods with baitcast reels and 8 lb Vicious hi-vis.
deep vertical jigging - various 7-10' spinning and baitcast rods with both types reels and original hi-vis PowerPro 10/2 braid.
Shooting Docks - 5' BnM SharpSooter with 4 or 6 lb Vicious hi-vis.

YMMV
Floyd