My favorite plug/cut plug set up is the combination of a Fetha~Styx MM-1065-2 with a 10-25# line rating and a moderate med-hvy action. There are lots of options for reels but my personal choice for a high performing tastefully priced reel is a Daiwa M-ONE UTD 400 if you like mooching reels. If you want to go with a level wind/line counter the Okuma coldwater CW203D out performs and out styles all the similar reels in its class. For line my personal favorite is 20# Blood run tournament mono. In the lure dept some custom colors made by Pogue Plugs and the good old MOP Tomic should put the hurt on those chrome herring munchers all year long!
Prices for those set ups at our shop are:
Fetha~Styx MM-1065-2 $209.99
Daiwa M-ONE UTD 400 $86.19
Okuma coldwater CW203D $106.99
Hope this helps with your crisis