Son's 1st rod n reel... suggestions fellow dad's or granddads

[manley82]

Looking for suggestions... Decision time my son got out with his grandpa and dad and hooked a few bluegill and has the fever. Now dad needs to set him up with his own gear. Do i follow commercialism and get the "Disney" kids rod or step up and a get a more "professional" pole that should last longer? 4yr olds are just that and I expect the pole to get a 4yrs old boys treatment. Will the cheaper pole survive long enough to be worth it and get him through the learning curves or should I start off with a simple standard like a Zebco 33?



Thanks

 

[Cameramonkey]

AVOID THE KIDS CHARACTER REELS AT ALL COST! (cars, disney, snoopy, etc)

They are absolute JUNK. Been there, done that, bought the T shirt. No drag adjustments and they slip even trying to reel in an empty hook. Only good for pretending to fish.

For my Son's SECOND reel I just bought an off the shelf $30 rod/reel combo. You know, the ones they have above the lures in Wallyworld. Nothing special, but only about $10 more than the crap character kits. Works beautifully.

 

[Slawburger]

The "character" reels and cartoon shape reels aren't worth it. You can get a Zebco 33 for $20 or another decent spincast reel for a similar amount. They will actually last more than one trip and cast without being frustrating. Regardless of your age it is no fun trying to cast with a reel that sticks and plops the bait 6' in front of you.

I did start my son with a shorter rod though to reduce the "tree fishing", minimize the chances of him hooking me and hopefully keep him from snapping it by catching it on something while carrying it.

 

[Bennettjh]

I'm with Cameramonkey. The rod/reel combos are excellent starters. I think I still have one from when I was a little kid.

 

[DFM914]

The "character" reels and cartoon shape reels aren't worth it. You can get a Zebco 33 for $20 or another decent spincast reel for a similar amount. They will actually last more than one trip and cast without being frustrating. Regardless of your age it is no fun trying to cast with a reel that sticks and plops the bait 6' in front of you.

I did start my son with a shorter rod though to reduce the "tree fishing", minimize the chances of him hooking me and hopefully keep him from snapping it by catching it on something while carrying it.

Great advice. I started on a zebco 33 and used it several years as a boy. It will last many years and probably some line changes once in a while.

 

[Richwon4]

Entry mitchell combo off from Dicks a few years back for $19.99 I bought one for each of my sons and they will use them until they are 10 or so until they get something more species specific if they choose. (Open Face Spinning Reel) I figured I'd just teach them the way the first time around. If you watch the adds Dicks has very good spring specials, skip Wally all together unless you want to pay to much for what you are getting as far as rod, reel, combos go.

 

[Cameramonkey]

a 33 was my first too! And to this day I still have the tackle box that came with it. I use it to hold my gun cleaning kit. rods, oil, solvent, and patches in the bottom, jags, brushes, and mops in the tray.

 

[manley82]

I basically had the same school of thought and personal experience myself. I was considering an ultra light rod/reel combo for him. Easier in size for him I figured and can still put a tried and true reel that should last a lifetime barring any catastrophes being carried to and from the water.

 

[mrjarrell]

I like the Zebco 33. I have a few of them and so do my kids. I've been using Zebco's since I was a kid and they've always done what I liked to do. Good choice for a kid or an adult.

 

[BigMatt]

I like the Zebco 33. I have a few of them and so do my kids. I've been using Zebco's since I was a kid and they've always done what I liked to do. Good choice for a kid or an adult.

My grandpa never wanted to use anything other than a Zebco 33. I saw him reel in a 42" northern pike with it.

 

[jath08]

Zebco 33 all the way. That's what I started my son and daughter out on when they were that age. It will stand up to the rigors of a 4 year old and last him a long time. I personally saw a teenager before catch and land a 50+ pound flathead cat at a paylake on a zebco 33 before. I may have a couple of the old Zebco 33's with the steel gears and all metal housings out in the garage. Ill have to check and see. If I do ill ship ya one on my dime just cause its going to get a youth involved in fishing. Which I highly support.

 

[armedindy]

bamboo stick and twine??? he's just gonna destroy it anyways......i was destroying my fathers tackle til i was 18 practically......he didnt seem to mind for some reason

 

[rgrimm01]

Actually cut my teeth on a zebco 202. The 33 became the new and improved and was the cat's meow in comparison. I still have one that I will occasionally use for fishing when I am using live bait. I would recommend the 33 without hesitation.

 

[Frosty]

Walmart has a package called a dock demon for $20, it's smaller, maybe 4', I'm planning on getting one for my boy for his first rod and reel...

 

[Yellowjeep]

Hands down a zebco 33. My kids have no problems with theirs. Which is unbelievable considering those reel go threw hell

 

[Bunnykid68]

Actually cut my teeth on a zebco 202. The 33 became the new and improved and was the cat's meow in comparison. I still have one that I will occasionally use for fishing when I am using live bait. I would recommend the 33 without hesitation.

I was thinking the 202. Smaller and easier for his little hands.

Edit: Just looked up the 33, they seem to be quite a bit smaller than they used to be. Gander has several combos to choose from at about $30

 

[VERT]

There have been several renditions of the Zebco 33 over the years. My first rod/reel was a 33. My wifes first reel was a 33. We have a couple in the garage even now. But my grandpa bought my son a batman pole. Guess which one he wanted to use.

 

[Stschil]

Spincast is a good way to go with beginners, but it should be noted that the cheapo combos can and will cause a lot of frustration for those who are learning. If they spend more time asking for help because the line is wrapped around the spindle inside, or it wont reel up, they will soon get bored with 'fishing' and want to just give up. I always liked to take my little ones out to a spot I knew they would catch a bunch of fish, even if they were only 4" or 5" long, using a Cane pole and bobber. Zebco 33s or Johnson Centuries soon followed though. To this day, I still have (and sometimes use) my Grandma Stewart's old cane pole. It was her favorite way to bring in sunfish and 'gills.

 

[snapping turtle]

I started on a zebco 33 and they are still nice just not what the were in days gone by. They have plastic gears now but will hold up well to anything in the price range.

i had a closed face spinning rig also as a young man and think I still have it. As long as small fish and not 20 pound cats are on the menu these setup the young for spinning rigs better than casting rigs. I still use spinning rigs more than casting rigs today up to the big bass and catfish. I have spinning rigs for cats no also.

 

[mrjarrell]

I was thinking the 202. Smaller and easier for his little hands.

Edit: Just looked up the 33, they seem to be quite a bit smaller than they used to be. Gander has several combos to choose from at about $30

I couldn't recommend a 202 or 404 these days. They are just bottom of the line crap and a waste of money. They're made as intro reels, but for a couple of bucks more you can get a good 33 or 33 Platinum and have a good reel. My first reel, back in the old days was a 404. Did a lot of saltwater fishing with it and they used to hold up well. Bought my kids a couple when they were younger and they just ceased to function after a short time. Spent the money and got them better ones and they've been happy ever since.