Man, I've used so many different combinations over the years, from 6ft light action rods and 6lb test to the heavy duty Berkely E-Cat rods with Abu 7000 reels and 50 lb test. I used the heavy gear back before the kids showed up, as I was doing a lot of night fishing on rivers for flatheads. Now, since the boys (ages 7,4, and 2) go with me every chance they can, and I don't do a whole lot of night fishing, I got rid of the big gear.
I've gone lighter and cheaper (so if I lose one, I won't cry
). I've got couple of 7 foot medium action spinning rods with Mitchell baitrunner reels and two spools each, one with 10lb and one with 14 lb Clear/Blue Stren. I put them out, set the runner, and don't worry about it getting pulled in, so I can concentrate on the boys. Lots of the lakes/ponds I fish have the potential for the occasional 20lb cat or or so, most are under 10lbs, and they are pretty full of brush/limbs too. For bigger fish or bigger water, I have a 7ft med/hvy rod with another Mitchell baitrunner reel (saltwater size) with 20lb Stren, and then my "big" rod is a 9ft (can't remember who made it, haven't used it in two years) med/hvy casting rod with a Daiwa saltwater reel and 25lb or 30lb Stren. I usually take it to pay lakes and such, or to the bigger rivers.
The boys have a variety of Zebco reels with 10lb and 12lb line and 6ft and 6.5ft rods. The 7 year old can handle them on his own, the 4 year old is still "practicing". The little guy (2 years old) hits the water with his trusty 3ft Spiderman pole and slays the bluegills, which is pretty convenient for dad to use for bait.
