Yeah I'm a couple years into really loving fishing and all the different ideas and had your same questions and I'm not any genius or expert and may be proven wrong by someone who's been around the block a few times.
But I do strictly bank fish and will offer my opinion.
"I'm kinda wanting to get a Lew's Super Duty Speed Spool SD1XH 8.0:1 but have no clue what rod I should look to pair it with, I'm assuming I'd be using the 8.0:1 for swim baits and frogs (correct?) so would I want another 7' rod and if so what action?"
I'd want a softer tip so i can work and present those baits correctly. I hate working moving Swimbsits and topwater with a super stiff rod.
1) In general I'd explain my rod as a 6'6 MH fast. Medium heavy has to do with the back bone or strength of rod and fast would mean your rod tip isn't stiff. I'm not good enough or wealthy enough to buy combos for every single style. But 7.1 ratio is plenty for most everything.
2) Bank fishing usually can mean ur in close quarters with trees, bushs, etc... so if u have a 7'6 rod ur going to be limited in spots you can pitch and flip. I use a lews speed spool also that's 7.1 paired with a Versitas 2.0 6'6 MH fast tip. I've caught multiple fish over 4 or 5 pounds thru vegetation easily. Im very comfortable with any bait except really cranking but don't do much of it. I began with a 7'6 rod and couldnt do anything productive from the bank except cast to the middle. I'd own a longer rod if I fished in a boat and didn't worry about branches and snags and if my cast might nip this limb....etc
3- If your frog fishing, jiggin, etc... the 8.1 could help depending on your reaction to a strike...I'd recommend a softer tip unless ur pulling hogs out of a bunch of hydrilla or something all day
