Could someone also recommend a reel to pair with it?

Depends on the action. I like pistol grip rods for casting spinnerbaits and
crankbaits, but like short, 5.5 foot rods with lots of backbone. I caught a
5.68 pound bass in a tournament today on a Fat Free Fry using a pistol grip
Berkley Bionic 5.5 foot rod, Ambassadeur 5500 C reel and 16 pound Stren
Magnathin.

I like that outfit for light crankbaits and it is my favorite Trick worm rod,
too.

My favorite spinnerbait rods are two Berkley Lightning Rods I bought years ago.
They are pistol grip 5 foot 2 inch rods and I have Ambasssadeur 5500 Cs on both
of them. Also like them for buzzbaits and jigging spoons.
Ronnie

http://fishing.about.com