A good starter rod/reel for a 13 yo boy?????????

[Aries 181]

I'm thinking a Zebco 33 combo from wallyworld. This is my wife's nephew who has never had a male influence in his life that lives with his grandmother. He's a good kid and I want to get him interested in fun stuff like fishing and shooting.

Thanks,
Bill

 

[puddle jumper]

Hey Bill.
Ive got a 11 yr old girl that loves to fish,and I started her out last fall with a UL spinning rig and she took to it pritty quick...put him in the yard and let him practice first
puddle... emoToast

 

[twilson]

Quantam has a nice youth spinning combo at bass pro for around 60 bucks. I bought the girlfriend one this past weekend and it is really nice for the money.

 

[Guest]

I would probably go with a Zebco RCS3 on a nice light graphite rod. 33's are not much good anymore. Spinning gear is ok for a beginner as long as an experienced fisherman is around all the time to coach the beginner on the proper way to use it i.e. not turning the handle when a fish is pulling drag. Getting out loops and a few other things common to spinning gear.

 

[polo-dog]

Spinning gear will work out especially if you have more than one spool for the reel. You can have 10-12lb test on one spool and 4-6lb test on another spool and be set for bass/catfish and quickly change over to panfish. If you feel comfortable with baitcasting and he really wants to learn to bass fish 13 year olds can manage a baitcaster but if you can afford both spinning and baitcasting that would be best. Show them how important it is to know how to use a baitcaster with precise line control with a baitcaster and get them catching fish initially with the spinning. I learned to use a baitcaster at an early age and it took some time and perseverence but it was worth it.

 

[Guest]

It'll be fun to watch him catch that first fish !Mine was on a cane pole and I STILL remember that gill. AND the person that took me.

 

[sprestwood]

I would say if your nephew can cast your spinning reel get a spinning reel. Just about every manufacturer has options up and down the price range. I would look for enough ball bearings to put a brearing on the major axels and the line roller, usually 4 or 5 depending on the reel. The high gear ratio on a spinning reel will give him an option to use fast cranking baits. Close-to-instant anti reverse is a good option, instant anti reverse bearings are a luxury. The next option would be a levelwind feature, it cast a little further. and having a rod with some lenght will help to cast further to. Anything new rod and reel with a few ball bearings is definatly better than the hand-me-down stuff I started on years ago. I took my 4 yo nephew fishing twice and everytime I have to watch him for a few hours he asks me if we can go fishing.

 

[SpurHunter]

Dont get caught up in a lot of features. A simple, decent quality spining reel with GOOD line is the key. Cheap line tangles, and loops more, and will frustrate the feller. My $.04 worth (due to high gas prices)

 

[Aries 181]

Since the consensus is with a spinning outfit and I already have a mint condition Lews 6' med. action TH rod I don't use anymore, I'll find him a decent spinning reel on e-gay w/ two spools.

Now I have to find him a quality life vest as the ones I have in the boat are way too big for him.

Thanks Guys,
Bill