For casting, you need a little finese. I like a medium action 7 ft. rod and a quality spinning reel. I like to use 8 # T-line monofilament. With this set up and using good knots like the double uni or polamar, you can land some very large fish. But you just cannot winch them in. For trolling it is a different story. Line counter reel with 30# PowerPro. Good trolling rods. I have poles rigged specfically for the methods you want to fish. Perch poles and casting poles can both be used but it has been my experience that perch poles and line especially, get neglected and abused more.
my .02$