Bait Caster For 12 Year Old.

[kens]

Is there any beginner bait casters out there easy to use? He tried  mine but it is to fast for him.

[Catt]

My 13 yr old grandson uses a Shimano Citica

[ThatZX14Fella]

Quantum Accurist. Cheap, reliable, many gear ratios, DBS, and they have aluminum frames which is a plus in my book.

[Catt]

Quantum Accurist. Cheap, reliable, many gear ratios, DBS, and they have aluminum frames which is a plus in my book.

I kinda like my grandson so I bought him one that will last a life time.

[ThatZX14Fella]

I kinda like my grandson so I bought him one that will last a life time.

 

You can say whatever you want about Quantum, they're good reels and if you don't like them that's your opinion. I think I would like Shimano reels, but I'm not going to buy one due to the people who trash talk every other reel because it's not the brand they like.

[mikeeasttn]

I started my grandson with a Curado 200E.  Get a good reel that will last and that you can adjust so it will not backlash easily so they will not get dishearten quickly with while learning.

[John G]

By your kid a Shimano Scorpion XT1000! It's great looking, performs great, easy to cast and your kid is sure to be the only kid on the block with a JDM Shimano!

[Jig Man]

If you want him to get into it for the long term buy him a good quality reel what ever brand you choose.  Don't get some cheapo that will not be reliable.  I gave my grandson some money and took him to BPS and let him pick out his own reel.  That was 15 years ago and it is still going strong.

[BassinLou]

Try a Lews speedspool. If I am not mistaken the $20 rebate is still in effect. Its a good reel, it will probably palm well for his smaller hands. Good luck.. 

[fishballer06]

My first baitcaster was a Shimano Curado Bantam, whenever I was about your son's age. I'm 26 now and I still keep that reel in the boat. 

[new2BC4bass]

Any decent centrifugal or dual brake reel should work better for a beginner than a mag only reel.  I'm going by what I have always read because I learned on a magnetic brake only reel.    Once you have a choice narrowed down, I would make sure the reel can handle down to 1/4 oz. lures.  My understanding is that most of today's reels will.  I love my Zillions, but wouldn't try that low of a weight....not when I have others much better suited.

 

You didn't mention a budget.  That would be helpful.  What hand will he be cranking with?  An older Curado 50E or 51E would be an excellent choice.  Small for a better fit for his small hands, but also a favorite reel for many of us with bigger hands.....meaning bigger boys.    It would be a reel he could keep for life....and probably would.

 

A reel that handles light baits well, handles wind well, is small, is hard to backlash with the correct spool tension and has a low price tag would be an older Abu 1600/1601 Black Max series round reel.  Round reels aren't the "in" thing today, but they still perform very well.  Also there is a big after market for upgrading them.  This reel palms well for me, but I am one of those "bigger boys".    It is another reel he wouldn't out grow and would last a lifetime if taken care of properly.

 

 

[roadwarrior]

My 13 yr old grandson uses a Shimano Citica

 

Nice reel and VERY user friendly!

[Smallmouth Hunter]

My parents bought me a curado 200b (bantam) when I was about 12. Great reel, but the heavy spool makes it quite hard to use for lighter baits.

If you want to treat him, get him a curado 51e. One of the best reels I've ever used. Should cost about 120 or so for a good condition used one. I got mine for $85 after looking around for a while. The chronarch looks better than the curado IMO, but the curado is the same reel basically.

If you want to spend a little less, grab one of those new lews speed spools. Retail for 99, and have dual brakes and an aluminum frame. I wouldn't pay $100 for one, but if you catch a sale and get one for 75-85, that's a good deal!

[WIGuide]

If yours are too fast for him, why not just adjust them so he can use them? Otherwise the Johnny Morris BPS reels would make a great starter reel.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

A reel is only as fast as you let it be. Up the braking and spool tension a hair from what you'd fish and discourage bombing distance casts (a tough sell with any kid especially a 12 yo boy). A Citica, Revo S or PQ is about as user friendly as you can get and yet he won't "out grow" them as his skill develops. Pull off 50-75 feet of line and put a wrap of electrical tape around the spool. This will keep the inevitable backlash from going very deep. 

[olegs]

My 13 yr old grandson uses a Shimano Citica

X2

My 9 year old boys use Citica pretty good for throwing Fat Ika.

[bigbill]

Just don't make fun of my $12 & $14 Shakespeare bait casters I learned on these and still have them of course there museum pieces now.

Listen to the guys here.

[ABW]

Why are you worried that the reel is too "fast" for him? Simple adjustments can be made to reduce backlashes. The kid is going to have to learn some day.

 

Others on here have already listed quality baitcasters that don't break the bank. If you want to buy him a quality reel that will last a long time you can spend a little more and get a Curado I on auction sites for like $150

[John G]

To the OP, Just curious what kind of reel you have.

[jtharris3]

Lews Speed Spool. Rebate is good until 8/31. 

[FishTank]

My son is 15 and I purchased a Citica G for myself this year.  I plan on letting him use it.  One other he has tried and did OK with, was my Calcutta 251.  Both of these reels are a set it a forget style baitcaster.  I set it to two or three brakes on, put on a weighted senko and he is good to go.  

 

If it were me and I wanted to get my son a reel that was both an investment he will keep and a teaching tool that won't frustrate the both of you, I would get him a Curado.

[Catt]

Educate his thumb & he'll be set for life