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Best baitcaster/rod combo to start a 6 yr old on?
#11363070
01/22/16 05:24 PM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,343
Thunderbolt
OP
Extreme Angler
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OP
Extreme Angler
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,343 |
My 6 yr old is starting to show more interest in bass fishing and I'm wanting to get him a good combo to bass fish with. He has a lews baitcaster that he sandbass fishes with but I believe it's too long of a rod for him to cast. Any suggestions on rod lengths, action and reels? Thanks, Weston.
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Re: Best baitcaster/rod combo to start a 6 yr old on?
[Re: Thunderbolt]
#11363172
01/22/16 06:03 PM
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Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,989
SAKS
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,989 |
My son learned on a black max/all star setup. His was 6ft. This is an original all star rod I used to use.There was no tip ratings back then. It was soft enough he was able to load it up. That would be the key thing to me is making sure the tip action isn't to stiff. I would say something moderate to moderate fast. Since there is no guidelines for rod actions they will vary from company to company. One rod that comes to mind is Falcon but I don't know if they make a 6ft rod. Their medium power/moderate action rods are very castable. As far as reels find one that fits his hand as good as possible. I am an Abu and Ardent guy but they are all good just find a fit. The best option would be a dual magnetic brake reel.
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Re: Best baitcaster/rod combo to start a 6 yr old on?
[Re: Thunderbolt]
#11363334
01/22/16 07:02 PM
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Joined: May 2012
Posts: 4,533
bigbass94
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 4,533 |
Daiwa Laguna Here's a great starter reel for the young fella. It's gonna have everything he'll need to build confidence in using a baitcaster. It's gonna have a good, strong drag, a nice and smooth retrieve, and he's gonna be able to cast it real easy. Best of all, it's inexpensive. Shimano Sellus And here is his rod. This rod is lightweight and packed full of features. And like the reel, it's inexpensive.
"If people concentrated on the really important things in life, there'd be a shortage of fishing poles." - Doug Larson
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Re: Best baitcaster/rod combo to start a 6 yr old on?
[Re: Thunderbolt]
#11363496
01/22/16 08:07 PM
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,080
Joey J.
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,080 |
Here is Falcon Rods website for the HD series. It shows the "Action" and "Flex" rating for each rod. My suggestion would be to go with a 6'6" rod, Medium to Medium Heavy action and definitely a Medium to Medium Fast flex. This is a rod he could throw small spinnerbaits, crank baits, small jigs and T-Rigs on. It will also be a useful rod when he gets older. http://falconrods.com/hd.html
Joey J.
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Re: Best baitcaster/rod combo to start a 6 yr old on?
[Re: Thunderbolt]
#11363702
01/22/16 09:39 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,999
DAN-O
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,999 |
Doesn't matter. Just make sure you use black electrical tape on the spoil while he is learning. The tape will keep him from backlash in bad and getting frustrated. Start with about 20 feet of line out before the tape and gradually lengthen the line and retake as he gets used to thumbing it. That is how we teach kids at school to keep from digging out backlashes all day.
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Re: Best baitcaster/rod combo to start a 6 yr old on?
[Re: Thunderbolt]
#11363786
01/22/16 10:10 PM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 423
cove_crawler
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 423 |
I know this is a little off topic, but at what age did you guys get your boys fishing for the first time? I just can't wait to get my boy on the water, but I've got a ways to go.
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Re: Best baitcaster/rod combo to start a 6 yr old on?
[Re: Thunderbolt]
#11363796
01/22/16 10:18 PM
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Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,989
SAKS
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,989 |
My son started going with me at 7. That's about the time he showed interest in going. If you want him to really love fishing start out with sandbass or striper fishing. Something you can catch a lot of and they will never look back. If you only go bass fishing they tend to get bored because of slow action.
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Re: Best baitcaster/rod combo to start a 6 yr old on?
[Re: Thunderbolt]
#11363830
01/22/16 10:31 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 16,895
ezbassin
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 16,895 |
Find a short rod and Zebco 33 or try a spinning outfit. Let him pick it out at the store.
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Re: Best baitcaster/rod combo to start a 6 yr old on?
[Re: Thunderbolt]
#11363906
01/22/16 11:02 PM
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 7,625
361V
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 7,625 |
Let him use whatever reels you use/like on a shorter(6') limber rod till he figures it out.
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Re: Best baitcaster/rod combo to start a 6 yr old on?
[Re: 361V]
#11364169
01/23/16 01:12 AM
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 7,082
horseplaydvm
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 7,082 |
Let him use whatever reels you use/like on a shorter(6') limber rod till he figures it out. This is what I did with my son since he was 5, he is now almost 8. I initially used a 6'6" rod with one of my reels ( pflueger patriarch ) because I have reels with double braking systems which help prevent him from backlashing as much. Now he uses whatever rods I have plus he has a couple of 7' rods with nice reels of his own.
Gone Fishing B.A.S. 6/5/47-6/6/12 C.W.S. 9/29/72- 10/17/23
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Re: Best baitcaster/rod combo to start a 6 yr old on?
[Re: DAN-O]
#11364301
01/23/16 02:26 AM
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 4,724
Flippin-Out
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 4,724 |
Doesn't matter. Just make sure you use black electrical tape on the spoil while he is learning. The tape will keep him from backlash in bad and getting frustrated. Start with about 20 feet of line out before the tape and gradually lengthen the line and retake as he gets used to thumbing it. That is how we teach kids at school to keep from digging out backlashes all day. Thanks for this practical tip! I have a 6 year old grandson who will be ready for a baitcaster this summer. Both grandsons were casting a Zebco by age 4, which I was surprised they could do (rod about 5'). Both started going out on the boat by age THREE when I could plan trips that would not be too long for them. They have never complained. This year we will start making longer trips.
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Re: Best baitcaster/rod combo to start a 6 yr old on?
[Re: Thunderbolt]
#11364344
01/23/16 02:56 AM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,343
Thunderbolt
OP
Extreme Angler
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OP
Extreme Angler
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,343 |
Great info guys! Thanks. My boy has been in a boat since 4 yr old and has never once said lets go home. Like someone mention above, I'm a sandbass fisherman so that's what we did and he got hooked from the age of 4. In fact, we got this boat 2 yrs ago for Christmas (he asked Santa Claus for it) and had it on the water a couple months later ( I believe it was in Feb, on a nice day). We launched the boat at noon and at midnight I said, "dude, it's time to go home", we hadn't caught a fish all day long. And he started cry and pitching a fit, like a 4 yr old does, not wanting to go home. I knew then, he had it in his blood. Now I think is time to start him on a baitcaster ( great tip Dan-O, thanks). Here is his PB largemouth, caught sandbass fishing a slab this fall
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Re: Best baitcaster/rod combo to start a 6 yr old on?
[Re: Thunderbolt]
#11364552
01/23/16 04:48 AM
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 2
1farmer
Green Horn
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Green Horn
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 2 |
I would start him on a 5 ft. or 5 1/2 foot rod, the reel should be one that has dual breaking that you can adjust to cast without having to thumb till he gets used to it.
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Re: Best baitcaster/rod combo to start a 6 yr old on?
[Re: DAN-O]
#11365533
01/23/16 10:09 PM
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Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,867
JMac-D
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,867 |
Doesn't matter. Just make sure you use black electrical tape on the spoil while he is learning. The tape will keep him from backlash in bad and getting frustrated. Start with about 20 feet of line out before the tape and gradually lengthen the line and retake as he gets used to thumbing it. That is how we teach kids at school to keep from digging out backlashes all day. Ill have to try that, my sons 7. Thanks for tip
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Re: Best baitcaster/rod combo to start a 6 yr old on?
[Re: cove_crawler]
#11367370
01/24/16 11:27 PM
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 5,923
BrianTx01
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 5,923 |
I know this is a little off topic, but at what age did you guys get your boys fishing for the first time? I just can't wait to get my boy on the water, but I've got a ways to go. Two.
Fighting Texas Aggie Class of 2001 Proud UNT Alumni
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