The boychild fancies himself wanting a baitcast combo. Anybody have a recommendation for something that will be forgiving on the casting (less backlash) but able to grow with him and his skill level?
And a good rod?

Thanks !

really need to know your budget to give a good recommendation

if not the answers will probably be all over the spectrum. a daiwa steez on and NRX is a good beginner combo to some LOL

Good thought.

Let's start at $200 for the combo. Hopefully less.

If you want a budget rod at a real low price....ive heard in the past and continue to hear people that swear by those berkley lightning rods. Unless they HAVE to have sensitivity (which i actually hear is decent/good on these rods) might be a good route to spend the 30-40 on the lightning rod....then you can spend the rest of the $160(or less) on a better reel since that will likely make life better than a better rod, with a lesser reel. Im slowly transforming into a daiwa fanboy because they continue to impress me on a windy day...and its always windy when i fish!

LBF is having an easter sale. If I had to buy a rod for a kid and wanted to spend $200....id go to landbigfish and order him a Tatula SV TWS, using the EASTER21 promo code to bring the price down within budget and then run to walmart for the lightning rod. That should have you right at $200....and that SV TWS will be very forgiving to him on the cast to help with his learning curve...and help him keep his sanity while learning the baitcasters. Also, that reel can potentially be a lifetime type of reel or at a minimum definitely last him a few years....and then as time goes on and the skill goes up you can upgrade the rods to his liking.

all my combos are over $300 now....but this is basically how I started my collection. I still have my Lews BB1 from over 5 years ago that I got on sale and paired with a cheap academy rod. I beat my stuff up too....but as long as you try and not annihilate these pricier reels....they can last years and years and years.

This would work for an entry-level reel. Adjust the brakes and spool tension, start off with it pretty tight, and he should be able to avoid backlash.

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Shimano_Caius_B_Casting_Reel/descpage-CIB.html

ohhh....and do the tape trick when he first starts out! just in case you dont know...basically....let out about a casts length of line and then put electric tape on the spool/line. Then if he gets a wicked backlash it wont be a total blowout and the tape will stop it. Didnt know this trick when I started...but wish I had. Wired2fish put out an article about this a year or so back and it seemed brilliant to me!!!

As for the rod, a 6-7 foot medium heavy is a versatile choice.

Jeff,

I would go buy an Abu Garcia Black Max. It is an excellent reel for 40 bucks. I would then go buy a MH 6'10" Phenix Maxim rod. They go for 115-120 bucks.

That would be an excellent combo in your price range. I own 3 of those rods.

My 2 cents.

4W

TFF has been geat to me about asking for reels for my son and I would like to give back. I do not have a rod but do have a reel that I will send you. PM address and I'll get it shipped out if you want it. It's nothing fancy but works great.

Thanks so much for the offer. I'm going to decline your offer so you can give that to someone who really needs it and might not be able to afford it.
Hope that makes sense. Thanks again.

Daiwa reels are the most user friendly reels out there. The Tatula CT is a really good budget friendly feel. You can find them on eBay for around $100. Just buy from a reputable storefront if you go that route. They retail $129 at a regular store. This is a reel that will not require an upgrade as he progresses. As far as rod I would say something 6’6” to 7’. He will never outgrow a rod in this range and it is still short enough if he is small.

Dobyns Fury with a shimano Slx

Thanks y'all. I think we have enough to go on.
'Preciate ya.