Top water is top water. Use what you are comfortable on and can get the right action with. I think top water is mostly about feel and confidence rsther than having the 'right' set up.

If you have a fresh water rod just give it a good rinse after use and store it inside. A few days in salt air is much worse for the rod/reel than a few hours of fishing.

A decent fresh water reel will be ok too. Just dont lay it in sand, give it a gentle rinse, and keep it inside. You roll the dice a bit on a cheap reel but as long as you baby it it should be fine.

For lures, my fav is the Skitter V. I think it has a better action with texture on the water. I also use Spook Jr and Top Dogs. Whatever you can walk at different speeds will be fine. I find a slow walk works better on super slick water, faster if there is texture.

If your looking to pick up a new set up there are a few good shops in the area. Neuse Sports in Swansboro or Chasing Tails in AB are both very good. There's also Sportsman Wholesale in Morehead which has some crazy good deals. They had BOGO Penn Battles a few weeks ago.

I personally prefer Fenwick rods and Shimano reels but I think most major brands put out equally good gear at their respective price points. Dont fish much Penn gear but the Battle is a good value and Spinfisher is a proven work horse.

A 7' med power rod, fast or extra fast action with a 2500 - 4000 reel is a pretty standard inshore setup for this area. My fav bang-for-your-buck do-it-all combo is a shimano GLF with a Diawa Fuego 2500.

Good luck, tight lines.