7 year olds fishing rod/reel combo

[Jjackman2010]

My son wants a new rod/reel for Christmas. Right now he has a “kid” version push button. It’s just to small for him now. I would like to keep with the push button for now but upgrade to a better bigger style. Don’t know what route to go. He is seven and 3 feet tall. We fish primarily in ponds and reservoirs. Any suggestions? Thanks

[JediAmoeba]

I would go with an underspin.  It works easily and the configuration allows for an easy transition to a spinning reel.

 

As far as rods go, something 5' to 5'6" long.  Any cheaper medium light rod will do.  As a kid I know I was pretty rough on the rods...I wouldn't want to drop 100 bucks on a rod for a kid.

[MickD]

Don't get him a "kiddie" rod; get him a real rod.  He can handle it and can use it a lifetime if he takes care of it.  With my grandkids they went from the push button right to a decent spin reel and 6 1/2 foot St Croix Avid.  No problems.

[Catt]

Zebco 33 Platinum, 4.1:1 gear ratio, 5 stainless bearings, aluminum frame, continous anti-reverse, mirco fine drag control all for $35.

[WRB]

When my son was 6 years I made him a 5' ML spinning rod with standard size casting rod guides. I choose a Zebco mini Omega trigger spin reel. The reason a trigger spin reel is a good choice is it's well balanced like a spinning reel and a child can operate it 2 hands to cast.

The combo lasted about 3 years and he caught lots of quality fish using it until he wanted his own standard spinning rod/reel combo like mine. I bought him a Shimano Stratic 1000 with 6 1/2' Phenix MF split shot rod that he still uses as a adult.

Cheap combos only cause frustration so buy a good quality combo within your budget, your child will have more fun using it and learn to take of it.

Tom

 

[scaleface]

Kast King has  a promising looking   one .. I like the underspins too .

[Derek1]

Bps has a Ike dude push button combo on a 5’ medium rod I think. I got one for my grandson. The reel is less than desired but the rod is good.  I also got him this that he likes better. It a field and stream light fast action with a president size 20. Allot of fun for sunfish. The Ike rod will last along time, the reel can be upgraded all the way to a casting reel. 

[Junger]

The 4'8" Pflueger ultra light set is a good quality combo. My son was using it when he was 4. Casts easy, and is durable. When he's ready for a longer rod, you can just buy a decent $40 rod, and move the size 2000 reel to it.

 

[J._Bricker]

@Jjackman2010, I’d go with a Daiwa Goldcast Spincast GC100 reel, paired up with whatever 6 to 6 1/2ft medium action rod you like. A much better setup that your son is familiar with and can grow into until it’s time for a baitcaster. I bought a couple of these reels as combos from Cabelas with their rods. Served my kids well for over 20 years and I foresee their children using them also. Good luck with a nice problem to have....

[813basstard]

8ft heavy action rod, bait caster, set on free spool, 50lb braid and no instructions. 

Might as well get’em going early.

[Yumeya]

I would defiantly start him with a spinning rod combo, nothing to cheap.

 

 

[MN Fisher]

15 minutes ago, Yumeya said:

I would defiantly start him with a spinning rod combo, nothing to cheap.

I second that...though the reel is more important than the rod to begin with. I'd look at the Pflueger President combos. The reels are great and will last years. The rod can be replaced at any time.

 

For a 7 year old - either the 5630 (Pres-30 on a 5'6" Light) or the 6030 (Pres-30 on a 6'0" Medium)

 

http://www.pfluegerfishing.com/pflueger-combos-spinning-combos/pflueger-president-spinning-combo/1447419.html

[LCG]

I picked up a ugly stick youth combo, it's 5'6" and recently gave him a pflueger president xt reel to replace the cheapy reel that it came with. My 8 yr old loves it and has started to appreciate fishing a lot more. The rod is decent and plenty durable for a young boy. Spooled it with 10 lb braid which helps with sensitivity and will do the job for pretty much anything he will catch. 

[VolFan]

Mine of about the same age has the Zebco 33 mentioned above and a Zebco Omega, both on Ugly Sticks. He's also learning how to use a baitcaster with a BPS ProLite on the same rods. He's picked up the BC well, just needs to build his confidence.

[WRB]

6 years old are Kindergarten age with marginal hand eye coordination and small hands.

Standard spinning tackle is very differicult for small hands to hold the rod then open the bail and keep the line from falling off trying to cast. Spincast or trigger spins they can manage.

7 years old is a 1st grade and still marginal with standard spinning tackle.

8 years old some kids can handle smaller spinning tackle.

9 years old or 3rd graders can handle smaller size spinning tackle.

No reason to rush your kids into using tackle they physically can't handle.

Tom

[BASS302]

54 minutes ago, WRB said:

No reason to rush your kids into using tackle they physically can't handle.

I agree with WRB.

 

Also, look for a rod that can take abuse (such as an ugly stik).

[Catt]

1 hour ago, WRB said:

No reason to rush your kids into using tackle they physically can't handle.

Tom

 

As with any sport ya have to evaluate each kid individually!

 

I refer to my two grandsons Evan & Aiden, Evan is completely satisfied with closed faced reels, after 30 minutes he's done. At 12 yrs old Evan will still not touch a fish period!

 

Aiden on the other hand progressed quickly from closed faced to baitcasters & will fish at the drop of a hat...he'll drop the hat!

 

 

[MN Fisher]

36 minutes ago, Catt said:

As with any sport ya have to evaluate each kid individually!

I'll agree here...while my first rod/reel was a Junior BC, for my 8th birthday I got my first 'adult' rig. A Mitchell 320 on a matched rod. So I was spinning when I was 8 - never had a spincaster.

[islandbass]

On 9/14/2019 at 7:45 AM, Catt said:

Zebco 33 Platinum, 4.1:1 gear ratio, 5 stainless bearings, aluminum frame, continous anti-reverse, mirco fine drag control all for $35.

This. It’s what I did when my son was about that age. Depending on how Gung ho he is, he can quickly outgrow it so have on of your spinning rigs ready for him. 

 

My my daughter at age 7 was already able to use my curado 201bsf. She’ll be 20 next month. ?

[Bluebasser86]

My son has been using a spinning rod since he was 2 (dock demon combo), graduated to using my light spinning combo when he was 4, so this year I decided buy him his own nice combo. I went with a Daiwa Aird 6' M/F and a Daiwa Revros 2000 spooled with 6lb test. It's a really nice little combo that he really enjoys using. It's small enough to fit his hands and light enough for him to use without wearing out (for all the longer that a 5 year old is going to go between snack breaks anyways).

 

I made the mistake of trying to go cheap buying my wife's first combo and it was always tangling and taking the fun out of it for her. I learned from that mistake and got him something nicer so he won't be having equipment issues all the time so it will hopefully keep him more interested in it.