Rods for kids.

Well, I managed to bust my 7 year old’s rod last weekend. It was a fiberglass one that I bought mainly because it was unlikely to be harmed during one of the kid’s many sessions of yard fishing. And I was right, the kids didn’t bust it, it took me to eff it up…

So the 7 year old needs a new rod and it’s probably time to serious it up a little. He uses a classic Zebco 33 closed face, which I like because it’s easy for him to use and tangle free. Not sure I want to introduce the spinning reel wild card into the mix. But since I brought it up, anyone tried the closed face reels that mimic a spinning reel?

What’s the go-to rod for a panfish and walleye rig for a 7/8 year old using a closed reel? I’d like to keep the budget within the bounds of reality, we’ll save the Legend Ultra for another time.

Many thanks.

Grouse

Grouse

Gander mountain 5-6 medium light spinning cheap bulletproof and easy starter spinning rod for kids.

Zebco.

I bought my son the rod with the closed face reel that mimics the spinning reel (is mounted on the bottom and uses a lever to control). The main reason i went with this rod was so i could switch to a spinning reel without having to replace the rod. So far it works well. Now i just need to get him to like fishing

My 6 year old daughter does just fine with a standard spinning real on her light action Pink/Pearl St. Croix panfish series. It didn’t take her long to learn how to cast it.
I never really liked the closed face versions, they seem to limit casting distance.

Granddaughter was using a spinning reel at 5 years old. Just be patient and help them through it. She practiced in the backyard with a casting plug before actually fishing.

Thinking back to when I was that age…
The rod upgrade you speak of was going from a cane pole (or possibly an alder stick) to said closed faced reel. I honestly think the set ups my father allowed me to use at that age were the ones he didn’t mind getting broken. They were some pretty old school stuff. From my perspective, I don’t think it made any difference as long as I was fishing.

I think primarily you should find a short rod….5′, 5 1/2′. They’re easier to control for a youngster. I’d also keep the rod in the light to UL range because they’ll load easier for those thin arms.

The underspin is an option but I think at 7 I’d be handing him a conventional spinning reel. Shimano and Diawa and Quantum make some low end spinners that won’t break the bank yet off decent service for the money spent.

My 5 year old daughter learned to cast one of my spinning reels last summer. I plan to buy her and my 4 year old sun spinning reels this year. Might take my sun a little while to get used to….time will tell.

Ugly stick! Almost indestructible!

David Blais wrote:

Ugly stick! Almost indestructible!

X2 with either a spinning reel or a Diawa Underspin to match rod action !

Any cheap rod will do the trick, since they’re cheap they’re usually flimsy, and braid will help with hooksets and sensitivity. Add in the fact it goes a long ways in tangles for spinning gear that he needs to upgrade to. How does a guy Lindy rig with a zebco?:???:

Ugly Stick. I was wondering if those would come up. I may have to have a look at those.

I can’t see going with a full on spinning reel yet. Just too many increased opportunities for tangles with an open face. I’ll try a little yard casting with him tonight and see how he does.

The thing about getting him a casting rod and keeping the Zebco for now is then it becomes a rod that the younger one (now 5) can use when the older one steps up to a spinning rod.

Grouse

The best Underspin reels are Diawa and cost about the same as others !

My now nine years old boy claims that he forgotten how to cast his open face spinning real that he was able to from age five. ??? Really?

Give him that IMX HS9000. I’ll bet he likes it.

Definitely look at getting into an underspin reel for him. Then you can at least pick a decent spinning rod to match it.
Also by getting him used to using an underspin reel versus a spincast he will be accustomed to reaching for the trigger on the underspin just like you would on a spinning reel. So whenever he or you are ready to upgrade to a spinning reel it will be very similar to his underspin.