Rod/reel For My Kids

[crankcaster100]

I'm sure some of you guys have kids who love to fish with you like I do but I have had it with these $25 pieces of $!/@ kid set ups that don't even last one outing.

I'm willing to spend $100 for a decent rod/reel for my boys to share.

Any suggestions? Brand/size? Would anyone suggest a crappie set up?

[Missourifishin]

How old are they?

[Gaerith]

I think the 500 size shimano reels are perfect for children. I just made a 5'6" ul for my son with a sahara 500 for a reel and it's just his size. He's 4, though, so if they're 7+ you could bump up to any 1000 size. Don't worry if they don't know how to use a spinning reel - kids are sponges and catch on quick.

[jbsoonerfan]

I bought my son (when he was 7) an Abu Garcia Cardinal rod and reel combo to use. He mainly uses it to crappie fish, but it is a good little combo for him. I bought him the smallest reel that Wal Mart had (don't remember if it was an S10 or S20) and a 6' M rod. I think I only had like $70 in it, but it has served him well. I have tried getting him into a baitcaster, but I think he is still too young (heck, I think I was 13 before I got the hang of it)

[crankcaster100]

They are 7 and 4 almost 5

They did well with my old pflueger president but that broke on accident last year

But these 25 Shakespeare combos was one cast last week and the reels just spooled

Kids were not happy just watching me fish

They both know how to use spinning reels it's not their fault

[MCS]

My 7 yr old uses a pflueger president 20 no prob. And I just started him out on a BC, daiwa exceler. My other son is younger still throwing those snoopy spin caster. He doesnt like spinning gear. But there are very mice spin casts made by pflueger, daiwa and zebco if you go that route.

[MCS]

Mitchell also sells some reasonably priced spinning reels/combos.

[MCS]

I bought my son (when he was 7) an Abu Garcia Cardinal rod and reel combo to use. He mainly uses it to crappie fish, but it is a good little combo for him. I bought him the smallest reel that Wal Mart had (don't remember if it was an S10 or S20) and a 6' M rod. I think I only had like $70 in it, but it has served him well. I have tried getting him into a baitcaster, but I think he is still too young (heck, I think I was 13 before I got the hang of it)

I still got my cardinal combos my dad got my brother and me 25 yrs ago and they still work too.

My son asked to try it, I set it up almost idiot proof he does get much distance but he thinks he is doing it. Lol I agree casters and thumbing are hard concepts but I like that he is excited to try it.

[crankcaster100]

Thanks for the suggestions guys

[TheSmilingSwordsman]

I use a Mitchell Avocet Gold combo that I got from Wally World with a gift card last year. I'm hoping the rod breaks soon so I can justify buying a new one, but the reel is still going strong and I see no need to buy something better.

[Tywithay]

5' M Ambition rod, with a Shimano Sienna set you back about $60 for the combo. You could nearly get 2 for the $100, so they don't have to share. The rods feel great, been considering buying one for myself just for crappie fishing.

[bigbill]

For kids go to "fish and save" checkout what he has in combos and what the deal of the day is too.

[Brian Needham]

I got the girlfriend's boys a zebco 33 (I think) and some 5'6 uncle bucks rods at bass pro.

 

they handle 1/4oz swim jigs and 5/16 spinnerbaits well.

 

but they really dont go with me unless it bream season and we get some crickets..... at least then they can fight over who gets to but the fish in the livewell if they get bored.

[gulfcaptain]

I have a 9yr old now, and once he was good at casting on his own I got him one of BPS IM7 rods(think it's their Tourney Series).  It's not too expensive but not a piece of crap either.  I put an ABU Cardinal reel on it for him and he loves it. Think the rod was $50 and the reel was $29. Okuma also makes some good spinning reels in the $40-$50 range, I have 2 of them and they are nice and smooth.  Use them for dropshot and wacky worming.

[Tlaz]

My son is 8 and been fishing since he could. I just upgraded him to a 6'6" lightning rod. 50.00.

[NathanW]

Absolutly go with the cardinal. S10 or smaller. They are built better than the Revo S just not as light. So you can count on it lasting. The ugly stick lite is great for the younger ones because it will build their confidance in casting, just make sure they use light wire hooks so they set themselves. Once they get better at fishing and taking care of their stuff then you can upgrade them to a faster graphite rod.

[nowicki2005]

Shimano Stella of course. Fork over the extra money. You're making memories to last forever, don't be cheap!

[crankcaster100]

Funny - I never heard of a Stella so I looked it up and $700 for a combo????

No thanks

[Blues19]

I got an ultra light Ugly Stick back in the day.  Not gonna say its really sensitive, but that heifer has been to the end of the world and back.  I have caught a bunch of fish on it, using grubs and things like that.  Since its so dang soft and flexible, its a fun rod to catch fish on.  I think your kids would enjoy it.  As for a reel, an Abu Cardinal and a Pfluger President are two relatively cheap reels that I would reccomend.  I think those would last quite a while.  I got a cheap Quantum reel when I got the two.  The Rod has held up much better. I still use it when I go to the river or I let my friends kids use it when they are around (I fish at their farm pond, they wanna fish with me most of the time.)

[crankcaster100]

Well I went out and spent $220 today got the boys each an abu cardinal with a Cabelas pro guide rod and spooled em with 6 lb mono on each

Supposed to be 65 tomorrow so we'll be trying em out tomorrow afternoon after church

[Blues19]

Awesome! I really like the Cardinal Reels.  Im going out tomorrow as well, First time of the year! Good Luck!

[ABW]

Abu Garcia Ike Dude Combo... 6' Medium power... 4.9:1 Gear Ratio.. They cost about 40$ a piece.

 

 

It seems that they have a lot of good reviews.