i have been thinking about getting my 2 year old, soon to be 3 year old nephew a rod and reel combo for his birthday and not sure what to get. Obviously i will start with a closed bail, and i definitely dont want to go with any of these garbage cartoon character rod and reels...i hear zebco is the best way to go?
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I’ve bought them for my 3 year old and just got another one for my 2 year olds birthday. To be honest, the cartoon character ones are the only ones I’ve found that size locally, and a full size rod is way too long for kids that age. My 3 year old can cast fairly decent (sometimes). The short rod and small reel matches well and let’s him use it by himself. The one I just bought at Kmart, though I don’t remember the brand, seems to actually be a decent set up. Fairly stout and seems to operate good. I’ve bought my 3 year old two of the Spiderman combos (one in Ohio and one for Florida) and it works fine for him. I suppose you could find an ice fishing rod and a small spin cast reel, but I wouldn’t suggest spending too much, if he’s anything like my boys he’ll tear it up. And at that age, they really do like the cartoon characters.
i guess thats a good review, those cartoony ones always seem so cheesey...what i was thinking about was the most ultra light zebco they make and a 4'6" ultra light ugly stick....i think that would fit perfectly
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Roll one. Smoke one. When you live like this you're supposed to party.
i guess thats a good review, those cartoony ones always seem so cheesey...what i was thinking about was the most ultra light zebco they make and a 4'6" ultra light ugly stick....i think that would fit perfectly
Ya stay away from the cartoon characters, everyone know the Barbie rods are the best!
The cartoon combos are actually made by Shakespeare which is a brand I would trust any fish on. I also have purchased many of the cartoon combos for family/friends children. Only issue I have had with them is the kids catch fish too big for them sometimes and the reel just spins as the drag system is not equipped to hold say a 2# LG mouth. Other than that they are great for $10 and will last the kids a few years of being dropped on the ground, rubbed in dirt, being left out in the rain you know the general non angler stuff they do :P
The cartoon combos are actually made by Shakespeare which is a brand I would trust any fish on. I also have purchased many of the cartoon combos for family/friends children. Only issue I have had with them is the kids catch fish too big for them sometimes and the reel just spins as the drag system is not equipped to hold say a 2# LG mouth. Other than that they are great for $10 and will last the kids a few years of being dropped on the ground, rubbed in dirt, being left out in the rain you know the general non angler stuff they do :P
I started my son at 3 with a Spiderman Combo, then a CARS combo, then at 6 years old, a Dale Jr Zebco combo...now at 10 he's using a 6'6" Abu pole and a Abu 1276SLI spincast reel and he swims jigs and swimbaits like a Pro!
I bought a cheap 5' pink rod for my daughter when she was 2. Put a Zebco 11 micro reel on it and respooled the reel with Pline original (nice, soft and supple line).
Ya the rod was a little big for her but after some practice she can whip it out there no problem.
I stayed away from the cartoon and barbie rods as they are cheap, don't last and I didn't want her to learn on those and then have to relearn on a normal rod within a year.
Get whatever you think your kid can handle. The Zebco 11 is perfect for those little hands and it picks up the line much better than the cheapos when not used properly.
I'm not a fan of those microspins. I've gone through two in quick succession that came on cheap crappie combos. Plastic gears stripped and the reel seat broke. All plastic. junk! But cheap!
I'm not a fan of those microspins. I've gone through two in quick succession that came on cheap crappie combos. Plastic gears stripped and the reel seat broke. All plastic. junk! But cheap!
thats what i was thinkin....$12.99 for a 3 year olds reel, and it WILL need replaced at some point haha
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Roll one. Smoke one. When you live like this you're supposed to party.
Go Zebco, bought my 3 and 4 year olds zebco 33 combos, work great and take a beating, they love em. I still use my zebco reel i got in the 70's for perchin.
I agree on the zebco 11 for the kids...... Its nice fot them to be able an reel that bobber in easy near the bank. Slower the reel the more that bobber an hook is gonna drag an snag while pullin in the line close to the bank.......
That and as long as it last it willl be a fun reel for them to use. Ill even use one every now an then while farting around with the kids!
Probably more money than you want to spend, but.....
My daughter told me she wanted her own rod and reel, she was tired of using her grandfathers Abumatic 170 and Fenwick rod. So on her 14th birthday I got her a Zebco Delta combination for $54 at BPS. I'm hoping it will last her a looooong time. Not as long as the Abumatic, but certainly be able to get her kids started.
I took it out this morning with a practice plug to try it out. I was stunned at how well this combination works. I had to keep working my way up the driveway because I kept hitting the trees in the back yard.
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Nice silent mike! way to get the kids into it! Still havent gotten my daughter her 1st combo,she uses an old uglystick i found, But she doesnt exacly fish yet....
Now on the other hand i got my son (who is younger by 2 yrs) A stradic on a premiere....... That way i can test it until hes old enought to use and take care of it...
I promised him id keep the boatrash to a min.lololol
so it came in the mail early yesterday and i am very excited about it. First of all the rod came with a surprise combo quality ultra light open bail, so i will snag that for pannies....i put the zebco on and it fits perfectly....i cant wait to see the little guy cast it!
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Roll one. Smoke one. When you live like this you're supposed to party.
Kids rod and reel
Kids rod and reel
And at that age, they really do like the cartoon characters.
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