IMHO for crappie and bream I like a 5 1/2' - 6' rod with lite action tip and medium action rod blank. Shakespeare makes several spinning rod combo's in the $30 range that are good.
Personally I think the reel is the most important consideration. If you can afford an Abu Garcia spinning reel, they make several in the $70 range that are 10 ball bearing, smooth action reels, and are top rated. They come with extra reel that can be spooled with 4# and 8# test line. The reels can be switched very quickly and give more versatility. If you are new to fishing, the spin cast reels are great to learn on, but you will soon outgrow it. Spend the money on the reel, add just about any lite action rod, and you will have something you can fish with for many years.
Grubs and small spinner baits like a beetle spin are cheap lures and won't take much of the fishing budget.
When that LMB comes along, you better have a bait caster along with some heavy line.
Good luck.
