Rod Reel Combo For 6 Year Old

[erichthered]

My daughter is turning 6 next week and thankfully through some good parenting or lots of luck she loves to go fishing. I was thinking of getting her a rod for her birthday so I can get rid of that cheap one piece combo that she has been using. Any suggestions? Is it too some to give her a spinning rod or should I just stick with a spincaster?

Thanks, Erich

[roadwarrior]

Hmm...

 

Why not kick it up a notch, you can always go back. Some kids can pick it up quickly.

Get her a GREAT rod, too.

[MichiganFishing1997]

I dont know how much you want to spend, but for a beginner spinning rod why not a Ladies Ugly Stick GX2, its pink, tough, and will be good for her to learn on. No need to worry about her stepping on it or closing the door on it or other mishaps. And if she doesnt do well with it your not at much of a loss and can save it for later.

[JeziHogg]

Depends how much you want to spend, I gave my 4 year old a Veritas spinning rod I kept around after I boycotted Abu Garcia.

[Loop_Dad]

No, she doesn't need anything else yet. No need to frustrate her. Let her enjoy and take lots of pictures. That's what I did with two daughters.

[Insanity]

I think she might be a little young for spinning but I could be wrong. You got an ultra light she can try. I'm thinking her hands are to small but it might be to much to think about as well.

These would be a good step In between. If you could find an old one on ebay or yard sale. For like of a better term the new ones feel like. ( junk! ).

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Zebco-11-Platinum-Triggerspin-Reel-11PLT-BX/20753264

If these where as good as they used to be twenty years ago. I'd highly recommend one of them. But they are pure crap now days. Lucky I got two old ones from a yard sale last year. I gave one to my mom and the other had a broken foot. Got it for parts if I ever needed. Any way I bought my granddaughter a new one. Same as the one above, other then color. It felt so bad cranking it in. I took it back and got my money back. And glued to broken reel to the reel seat of the rod I got for here. Now she is only one year old so I have to help her cast and everything. But we are both happy with our new ultra light blue gill rod. .

I don't no why they don't just make the new ones at least as good as the old ones and just charge more.

Heck plfluger (sp?)makes a full size one for $49. Wonder how it feels?

[TiNuts]

I bought my one year old a *** ambition rod and a shimano Sedona 500 size reel. He loves to play with rods. He grabs for them whenever we go to bass pro. We've been practicing cranking the reel which he seems to do pretty well with. However, his favorite thing to do with it is poke at the cat. I plan on taking him fishing sometime this spring. He'll be almost 2 by then.

Yes, it may be excessive for a child, but I plan on using it too, so there was a little ulterior motive.

[WRB]

The trigger spin reels are great for kids, however a 6 year that is familiar with rod/reels can easily graduate to a light spinning reel and 5' spinning rod.

Tom

[michang5]

I recently got my 8YO daughter a Pflueger Trion spincast reel at Academy. I originally got the smallest size, but felt that didn't hold enough line for me to use in a pinch. So I exchanged it for the next size up. 

 

I believe it's the TRI6SCB:

http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/pflueger-trion-6scb-freshwater-spincast-reel-convertible/pid-929343?N=273169065&Ntt=pflueger+spincast&Ntk=All

 

I matched it with a 5'6" Medium Ugly Stik GX2 rod. It is a casting rod with a pistol grip. Model: USCAP561M

http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=23122836

 

I spooled on 10lb braid with a 6lb fluoro leader (which is what I use on my finesse spinning setup). I tested it one afternoon, cast it well, and caught a few dinks. Good luck!

 

**I tried to see if she could use my spinning setup (size 25 reel with 6'6" rod) and it was too heavy, off-balanced and complicated. YMMV.

[Nice_Bass]

Spincast 5' rod for my daughter.

Not that she could not pick up a spinning rod and learn- but the less tangles I have to fix the more fun we will have.

[J Francho]

My son did fine with a 6' pistol grip Bionic Blade and spincast reel.  He used a vintage Zebco 33, but I'd recommend a Daiwa Goldcast these days.

 

[new2BC4bass]

At 5 I used a cane pole.  At 6 Dad bought me a Mitchell 300.  I don't recall having any problem handling the reel, but at my age I am lucky to remember that I was once 6...forget about any specifics.    I would say go with a spinning outfit.  Doesn't need to be expensive to be good.

 

I never fished with my daughter when she was growing up.  Was always at work plus I gave up fishing in this area about the time she was 7.  I am lucky in that she now loves to fish, and goes with me whenever she can.

 

I always enjoy hearing about fathers taking their children fishing.  Not much better than that.  Enjoy the time with her while you can.