Go see Mike at M&Ds when he starts opening on weekends again. Probably after Thanksgiving, for the holidays. He can get you out the door with a Quarrow rod and Abu reel for right around your $300 target
The Quarrows are about the best of the "budget" or "entry level" rods I've seen to date. Lifetime warranty with a two year straight "over the counter" swap if they break. And they're two piece.
If you want spinning instead of conventional, look at the Daiwa Emblem Pro 5500. It probably wouldn't hold up for my jigging purposes (heck, I jig over 100 nights a season) and mine are already showing signs of gear slop, but for once/twice a week and mixed fishing (plugs/snakes/jigs) they're fine.
Threaded Mode