Rods for Young Anglers

[JT Henriksen]

Hi. I am a senior in high school whos been fishing in the high school league throughout all of high school. With the pandemic this spring and summer I started taking 2 middle school aged boys out fishing with me and they both seemed to really enjoy it. The only problem is that neither of them have a a good setup, so this year for Christmas I want to get each of them a combo. I just have no idea what kind of setup to get them. I've grown up in a family of fishermen so I've always been able to use my dads rods so I never really felt the constructions of having one rod so I just want to know what kind of setting I should get on their rods. I think im going to get them spinning rods because they have no experience with a bait caster, but would gettimg them a MH be to heavy for that. I know I think a 7' MH  rod is the most versatile for casting rods but does that hold true for spinning as well. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

[MN Fisher]

While a MH/F is the 'do alot' rod for casting (never 'do it all'), I consider a M/F spinning rod in that category.

 

Light jerks/cranks, light t-rigs/jigs, wacky, finesse - even lighter spinner/chatter baits (1/4oz, 3/8oz) can be used on a M/F spinning rig with a 2500-3000 size reel.

 

You don't have to spend a fortune either - my M/F spinning rig is a Pflueger Trion on a Diawa Aird-X - less than $100 total - and it's served me 3 seasons so far and will be used again next year...with maybe a rod upgrade (have to check the finances).

[roadwarrior]

18 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

While a MH/F is the 'do alot' rod for casting (never 'do it all'), I consider a M/F spinning rod in that category.

 

Light jerks/cranks, light t-rigs/jigs, wacky, finesse - even lighter spinner/chatter baits (1/4oz, 3/8oz) can be used on a M/F spinning rig with a 2500-3000 size reel.

 

You don't have to spend a fortune either - my M/F spinning rig is a Pflueger Trion on a Diawa Aird-X - less than $100 total - and it's served me 3 seasons so far and will be used again next year...with maybe a rod upgrade (have to check the finances).

[JT Henriksen]

32 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

While a MH/F is the 'do alot' rod for casting (never 'do it all'), I consider a M/F spinning rod in that category.

 

Light jerks/cranks, light t-rigs/jigs, wacky, finesse - even lighter spinner/chatter baits (1/4oz, 3/8oz) can be used on a M/F spinning rig with a 2500-3000 size reel.

 

You don't have to spend a fortune either - my M/F spinning rig is a Pflueger Trion on a Diawa Aird-X - less than $100 total - and it's served me 3 seasons so far and will be used again next year...with maybe a rod upgrade (have to check the finances).

Thank you for the reply. That's actually works out perfect too because we're from Minnesota so they'll be able to use those rods if they ever go walleye fishing too. Some friends and I are taking a little bit of a road trip down to the pure fishing clearance store in spirit lake, IA tomorrow so I'm gonna try to not buy anything for myself (I don't know if I'll be able too) and get each combo for under 50 with the deals they have there. 

[WRB]

When you were a youngster at 14 what type rod/reel did you want to use?

At 14 a angler can learn to use any type of rod/reel combo, ask your buddies what they want,

Tom

[Lead Head]

Keep in mind the setups they currently have and get them something to compliment that. 

[JT Henriksen]

3 hours ago, Lead Head said:

Keep in mind the setups they currently have and get them something to compliment that. 

The rods they currently have aren't really sufficient for bass fishing so I took MN Fisher's advice and got them each a 7' M abu garcia vengence for $20 a piece and a abu garcia orra s 3000 series for $30 a piece

[Lead Head]

"Sufficient for bass fishing" is a relative term. People can blow your mind with the amount and size of bass that can be hauled in with a $20 Walmart combo and a ned rig. I have no idea what your dealing with though and am sure they will be pleased with the new rigs.

 

I would also like to tip my hat to you sir. To not only take the younger guys out, but also gifting them new gear is commendable. 

[JT Henriksen]

12 minutes ago, Lead Head said:

"Sufficient for bass fishing" is a relative term. People can blow your mind with the amount and size of bass that can be hauled in with a $20 Walmart combo and a ned rig. I have no idea what your dealing with though and am sure they will be pleased with the new rigs.

 

I would also like to tip my hat to you sir. To not only take the younger guys out, but also gifting them new gear is commendable. 

Thank you and the comment about my comment, I had a hard time saying that but I think its true. One of them has a good daiwa rod but then has a 20 year old 1000 series reel that the gears grind when reeling in anything with resistance like a spinnerbait, and the other one has a combo that the reel handle broke on the last trip of the year reeling in a 1 lb bass. I just wanted to get them something that wouldn't break.

[Michigander]

People put a lot of emphasis on the gear but you don't need anything crazy to just go fishing. I fished with frogs on a spinning 5'6" M Ugly Stik for most of my life and had plenty of success. It was my favorite.

 

However, if your gear is broken, then that's not fun anymore. Good on you for helping those kids enjoy our sport.

 

[NYWayfarer]

9 hours ago, JT Henriksen said:

The rods they currently have aren't really sufficient for bass fishing so I took MN Fisher's advice and got them each a 7' M abu garcia vengence for $20 a piece and a abu garcia orra s 3000 series for $30 a piece

That’s a good price for the Vengeance rods. I was going to suggest those rods as they are easily found at Walmart. I also recommend the $29 Lew’s Laser HS rods. 

[Str8BraidPowa]

When I was that age I was thrilled to have a 7' MH ugly stik, and cheap diawa reel. Caught my fair share of fish on it, and the ugly stik is tough enough if you wanted to you could bottom fish for some smaller catfish too. Cool deal no matter what you get them they will excited.