My son is beginning to get at the age where he wants to have an open face reel. I was wondering what would be the best reel for him so he will not get discouraged while trying to learn how to throw it plus ole Daddy will not have to untangle the backlashes all the time. Your opinions would be greatly appreciated!

An h20 express mettle. I've taught my girlfriend and my 17 year old cousin on that reel. Academy also has a new combo for beginners. I havnt used it personally.its only sold in a combo it's called an h20 express mentor http://m.academy.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_10051_745203_-1__?N=78002898

When you say "open face" reel do you mean a spinning reel?

Hi,
I bought my first open faced reel in 5th grade,im 15 now, and haves to say it was very nice. It was the Pflueger� President Spinning Reel. Runs around 60 bucks, nice light to medium action, use 8lb line and you will be set.
Hope i helped

Sorry I mean a bait casting real...I call them open face reels

Then yes, a Mettle would probably be best.

Get a quality baitcaster that allows you to control the tension on the spool, as well as being able to adjust the spool's movement and stopping with a dial, typically as 0-10.

People have a tendency to load the spool with line, but really you only want to put about 20' on it. Make it a thicker mono and knots generally wont get as tight. Adjust it pretty firm and put a 1 ounce weight on it. Start with the basics of thumb use and so forth. Having only 20' of line makes resolving any nets much easier.

Bass Pro has their Bass Pro Megacast Low-profile reel for 40.00

An old b series Curado or Citica with all the brakes on along with some simple coaching about thumbing the spool as the bait hits the water should suffice.
My wife was more than a few years past 13, but had never tried using a BC reel before and after a few hours she was serviceable with one of my old Curados.
Also, she felt like braid was a little easier to learn with.
There's gonna be some backlashes, but I think centrifugal brakes are easier to learn with than magnetic brakes.

I have a now 14 year old grandaughter that began with a Bass Pro Extreme at age 13. She has since graduated to a super tuned Citica and challenges me to distance casting every chance she gets. BTW, she is accurate, catches LMB's and gets her own "professional overruns" out, which are few and far between which is more than I can say for myself..
You have to let them try. It really seems natural the younger you are to pick it up. I just can't convince her to give up her pink wrapped ugly stick.

Get a reel that has magnetic spool control. It's easily adjusted which a beginner will appreciate. Some baitcasting reels like the BassPro models have a combination magnetic/centrifical spool control, this will really help the beginner dial in on those windy days without getting overly fustrated. I have a 13 year old son that has been using baitcasters since he was 9. Amazing how fast children master some things. GTN69

+1 on the h20 Mettle!! got one for my girlfriend to learn on and now when i've got a tournament i'm always stealing it to have an extra set up.

can cast a mile and is super smooth for the $50 price tag. and if it ever craps out on you just take it back to academy for a brand new one!

Bass pros, proqualifier! I have an 13yr and 11yr and they both fish with it.

The key is to add a piece of electrical tape about 3/4in to the spool every 50, 75, 100ft this will limit and prevent the whol spool to backlash, and will be easier to undo.

As to why add at diffrent lengths. Well because once your kids feel comfortable casting at 50ft you can just take that take that off and still have the next limiting piece of tape.
. The can be done with all bait cast reels. Hope this helps

Get an old green curado. Put at least 20lb line on it so when it gets the ol birds nest the knots don't get tight. Makes it easier to undo for them. Get a 1 oz egg weight et him practice with that

Good luck my friend. I'm 46 and still can't use the danged things.