Buying rod/reel for a youngster?

["G"]

I usually just go to walmart and buy a Berkly Cherrywood rod...good quality for a cheaper rod and then buy a Zebco 33 and put on it.

[SuperDave336]

I would buy something like the Mr Crappie Slab Shaker combo to start. Not that expensive and works pretty decent and if something happens you won't cry over it. Later when more responsible and can take care of it buy the nicer more expensive ones if that's what they want. I know my daughter doesn't take care of stuff well enough now to invest in something expensive. Were working on that though.

[deathb4disco]

A 10-12' cane or fiberglass telescopic pole works great, particularly for the younger kids. It's simple, and it's much easier to hook the fish with a longer pole.

I wouldn't give a five-year-old anything with a reel on it.

[skiptomylu]

I am in a strange position on this one, I always buy quality and believe a 10 year old will catch on to what I use (open face spinning reel), but I would wonder if a 5 year old would have the same success and I am not so sure that age wouldn't prefer a closed face spinning reel? I guess really I would have to know the kids well before I could make a reasonable answer that would be good.

With that said I would buy the good stuff as someone said above if they for some crazy reason didn't like it, the stuff would become one of my rigs after that! With that said a lot would depend on where and how they are going to use them because if your going bank fishing or even in a boat to fish with minnows and a float, the cane pole things should great for a kind new to the sport of fishing. Once you step into a fishing type that requires casting and some other kinds of fishing, then I would still get as long of a rod as I can for the type of fishing to be done. However with a 5 year old I don't feel casting a long rod would be safe for anyone else near by, lol! Have had adults that were dangerous to fish next to in a boat, back when I did a little guiding in the late 1970's. Have been hit behind the ear, had my hat jerked off the top of my head by guys that were adults, lol! I tell you one thing, when someone casting a 3/8 or 1/2 Oz spinner bait slaps it right into your head just behind the ear, it will get your attention, lol!

So personally I just think you know the kids better than we do and you should judge what you get so that it fits what is best for you and them?

Skip

[Hanr3]

Mickey mouse zebco combo. My 12 yr. Old niece caught a ton of fish on it. It's like 3' long and casts a mile, surprisingly.
My granddaughter sons, 4 and under also use kids super hero rods. They picked them out, and it was up to me to make sure they could cast properly, enough weight and large enough bobber so it's nuetrally boyount. Any combo will work, once it's properly set up. Take them shopping and let them choose. Also gives them ownership to take care of it. They can step up to open face when ready.

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[Locator79]

Well said

I sincerely believe that the biggest mistake a lot of anglers make, when starting off their potential young fishermen/women, is to go cheap. Nothing will turn off a young angler faster than equipment that fouls up and creates delays & problems. You do not have to spend hundreds of dollars, but trying to get away with a $15.00 combo at Walmarts is just not going to cut it. Not if you want them to enjoy their experience on the water with you and want a repeat outing.

That being said, there are plenty of good quality starting outfits you can put together yourself. I would definitely start them out with a spincasting type reel/rod combo. Pick out each reel and rod just like you were getting it for yourself. Do some online searches for opinions on various makes of spincast reels (the Zebcos are hard to beat these days). Rods you can select yourself by feel at the store. Or online if you are comfortable with that.

Best accessory you can get though is a small colorful tackle box with lots of colorful and "mysterious" lures (plastics & jigs). Along with some hooks, bobbers and split shot of course. Let their imagination go crazy! They'll love you for it.

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[whiskerwhipper]

check pawn shops or If you are lucky like I am and live near a sporting goods consignment place built inside an old derelict Richway store building, good bargains can be had for quality stuff. Or good friends who are proficient anglers sometimes "donate" equipment.

[skeetbum]

I chose a slightly different path when doing this. I bought a rig that of medium quality, open face, and added some responsibility on the back end. I told them that if they take care of what they have, and show it some respect, that I would pony up for the good stuff in a year or so. It has worked so far and I'm about to have to get up off my wallet. They also have learned how nice it is to pick up a rod and go fish in a pond or wherever, and not have to fool with the many malfunctions of a neglected rod. Also, when they come to me needing line or something tied on, I work with them to learn the knots and different lures for different times. They turn the reel and keep the tension on the line as the new line is installed. Anything in my box is OK for them to use, but they have to ask and tell me what it will do and we talk of how to use it. It's starting to show, and I look so forward to the next lesson.

[Rink]

I usually just go to walmart and buy a Berkly Cherrywood rod...good quality for a cheaper rod and then buy a Zebco 33 and put on it.

That's what I did with my daughter but we started with spinning reels at age 4. Five ft ultra lite with a mid-range price spinning reel. I let her stand on the picnic table and cast with a casting plug sometimes for distance sometimes at a hula hoop for accuracy. With her up on the table I didn't have to bend over to help.

[captn160]

Great replies, thanks!

I asked around at work, as we have number of fishermen there. I got many of the same replies.