If you are shopping for a spinning rod and reel, try army and navy. Get a reel in the $50 range which will have more bearings and an instant anti-reverse.
The cheapo rod and reel outfits ($29 complete) have a big ratchet for the anti reverse and they don't feel anywhere near as nice as the stuff that's only a few bucks more.
My light trout spinning rod is an amundson light spinner, plus an ABU mini spinning reel, with 8 lbs mono. Whole thing cost about $80 which is on the super budget side of things, but works fine for a first rod.
For pinks I'd get a light or medium rod around 8-9' and a small (not mini!) spinning reel.
Once you catch a few fish, you'll start looking at the $5-800 outfits. Drool over them this year, and consider buying something next year if you really get into it.
$0.02
Cheers!