I like a 7' medium heavy action that is pretty stiff (fast action) for fishing suspending jerkbaits and a 7/71/2'softer rod for fishing spinners, crankbaits, spoons and trolling.
My two rods for northerns are a Shimano Compre 7' med/heavy, fast action for the jerkbaits
Gander Mtn. Guides Series 7' medium action for the rest.
Both have 4000 size spinning reels and Fireline.

I would recommend going to the store and finding something you would really like to have for everyday fishing. You can catch pike on a bass rod of any kind and I always use 10lb line for casting to pike. I have caught over a thousand big pike on that line. The biggest was a little over 29 lbs. I have caught lots over 25 pounds using a bass rod. You need something you are comfortable casting hard all day but something you can use again after your trip. It is really good to have a back up rod in case your primary rod breaks or worse yet, drops in the lake. The only catch is that you should be able to cast the largest Daredevles they make so don't get to weak a rod.