Best spinning equipment for a beginner?

I am a real beginner at fishing and want to try some lake fishing for trout
and bass. Is there a brand of fishing pole and spinning reel that is
inexpensive and sturdy, that you would recommend? I live near a Big 5
sporting goods store in Western Washington. Thanks for any advice.

Personally, I prefer a 6.6 to 7.0 foot medium heavy rod with a spinning
reel. I prefer the one of the Okuma spinning reels with 6 or 8 LB test
line. I also like Shimano reels. When I first started I just went to a
Wal-mart and picked up on a cheap combo unit. It was made by Shakespeare
and it did not hold up as well as a Okuma or Shimano. A combo unit in
either Shimano or Okuma can be bought from Cabelas online for under 75.00
dollars. Shop around and try the feel of the various rods and reels to see
what you are comfortable with.

Brands like Penn, Okuma, Shimano, and Pflueger are all good brands. They
all have some low end reels (Yugo's) and some high end reels (Hummer's). As
for as rods I have never real had any bad experience with any brands. I do
own several Ugly sticks and other brands such as G Loomis, St Croix,
Fenwick, Quantum, Shakespeare, and Pflueger. I do have my preference do to
weight and action of a certain rod but they all have been top performers.

I personally would stay away from stuff like Zebco 33 and other similar
reels (spincast reels).

Sarge