Let me know what you use and what a kid might use. Length line weight ect.

I use a Zebco Omega Pro on a allstar 6.5 MH rod, with 12# Cajun Red line. They are perfect for a Kid to an adult

I got my nephew a 6'6" MH All-Star Classic spinning rod and Mitchell 300 reel with 12lb Berkley Big Game and he's been tearing them up all year.

Closed faced reels are a pain, I always try to get a kid to use a simple spinning reel and rod. I prefer to use a 20# to 30# braid depending on the size of the reel/spool as it gives great abrasion resistance and since there is no stretch in the line, a late hook set or a weak hookset will be enough to set the hook.

Depending on the age, I try to keep rod length short so that they can cast for themselves without needing a lot of room to avoid hitting others with the rod. When it comes to cat fishing, you do not have to go expensive on the set up.

Thx for the info.

#1 braid spinning reels

channels? blues? bank? boat?

different answers for all...

Got a few bass pro cat busters. 8' mh with 30# power pro. Like those ok but theyre overkill for 3-4# channels. For them I have an old 7' Mitchell spinning combo with 30# braid, think i picked it up for $25 10 years ago. For a kid, something like that would be just fine. Head in to Academy and look around. Wont take ya long to find what youre lookin for

Start him out with a zebco 33.

Wally world Shakespeare Durango $10 15-20# braid, which ever rod they can handle(longer the better). Ive used these reels over 10 yrs never one problem best channel cat reel there is in my opinion

More info we are in a boat. The reel is a 33 with 10 lb line on a 5 1/2 foot rod. I dont think i have enough rod from what you guys are saying. We are usually fishing live shad under a slip cork. I have been wanting to go to an open faced rod for him but dont want the frustration yet.

Put him a 5gal bucket in the yard tell him youll take him fishin when he can hit the bucket 4 out of 5 tries from about 20 ft worked for mine. Whole lot easier on land,underhand pitch easist to learn

The Zebco 33 has been around forever, but is not a great reel. When you wind the handle, the line must catch on one of two pins and then wind on the spool. Teaching a kid to use a true spinning reel will carry him much farther much faster when fishing.

Got a 6.5 foot MH rod with a spinning reel. I bet we can get them in with that.

I use 7' medium-heavy ugly sticks with Abu Garcia reels. Don't know the model but they are light blue and hold the most line. I use 30lb mono main line and 50lb mono leaders. I fish for bigger fish but the heavier line works for the small cats too. For a kid, 5-6 foot rod with a spinning reel. 20lb main line for cats.