This is my recommendations.
7†Medium heavy action rod with a 6.1:1 baitcaster reel. This you can use with most of the applications
A couple of hooks between the 3/0 and 4/0 range as you can use that size with most baits
Get a couple of texas and mojo weights and stoppers. Going in to winter the fish gets a bit sluggish and I prefer to fish weightless as it keeps the bait in the strike zone a lot longer but for the extremely cold days add a texas when fishing grass beds or tight to cover and if you can find the fish suspending go for a mojo weight. The best would be to fish with other people and ask why they are doing what. But my main focus would be to fish weightless as I found that working best for me this time of the year.
And then a couple of lures. You need to cover the basic conditions found out there where dirty water requires dark coloured lures and clean water more natural.
So my colour selection will be June bug, green pumpkin and black for dirty water
Colour selection for clean water would be Baby bass, watermelon, watermelon gold and watermelon red.
Type of baits would be: Zoom Brush hogs, Zoom Super and Junior flukes and Senko’s. These are the most common baits and they all catch fish.
Don’t bother about cranks and the rest of the selections for now. First see if you enjoy the sport and start building your collection from there if you are sure that is what you want to do. Then you can start investing in more equipment.
And for the guys that are going to give me stick about a trigger rod over a spinning rod:
For example, a heavy jig 'n pig or stout Texas rigged worm. Baitcasting is often better. Baitcasting will allow you to take solid authority over big bass in the extreme conditions found in heavy cover. The simple reason is that you can really put pressure on the fish and winch the fish in with baitcasting. There are several leverage and torque disadvantages with spinning rods - even the way you hold them - that makes spinning awkward for winching big bass out of heavy cover. Therefore, most people will use baitcasting in heavy cover. And baitcasters in my opinion is more accurate than spinning but have heard of guys saying the spinning is better but this is just my opinion
Line: This is a very important part of your equipment as that entitles you to feel the movement of your bait over structure and will also be make or break when hooking a big fish. From the start I would recommend going for a very good line but they are expensive but would advise you to speak to your local tackle dealer and see what he has. But make sure you get 100% fluorocarbon. I would recommend going for a 12LB PLine halo. It is a very good. Abrasion resistant and the line diameter is thin and it casts easily.
Rod and reel make. Well this is debatable. There are very good makes out there and would recommend going for something like a shimano. They are very good priced and you get value for money. When you start going to more expensive stuff I would recommend going for Johnny Morris or quantum
I would spend a bit more on the rod than the reel as most your feel and bite detection comes through the rod and line as proved at witbank by Scuba. Also coming into winter you don't get the distinctive "thump" bite it is a more pick up and move slowly that’s if the fish does move with your bait. So you want a rod and line combo that will give you the most sensitive feel. There are mixed feeling about lure size as well. For interest sake Scuba prefers the smaller junior fluke most of his big fish have come from these. We don't want to confuse you but spike it might be a good idea just 1 bottle of chartreuse as we all know fish can become very skittish and this lets them hold onto the bait longer. The baits you choose will also depend on the dam or river you are fishing. (rdw senko's flukes weapon of choice, vaal river creature bait brush hogs etc)
When it comes to the rod go to a decent tackle store that is willing to help and not just take your money. ask them to pair up different rods with different reels and whichever feels the most comfortable for you that’s the combo you take. But try stick to a 6"6 or 7" rod and minimum 6.1:1 reel. Remember it is easier and less tiring to reel in slower with a higher speed reel than trying to burn it with a slow retrieve reel.
If you get the trigger rod and baitcaster option be patient with the casting but believe us once you have mastered it you will never go back. Accuracy and presentation with a bait caster is the best you will get.
there is the monthly bass social that LGF is trying to get going that is a great place to learn, feel different rod and reel setups and ask as many questions as you want.
This was compiled by me and Scube. So basically two views from 2 different competitive anglers