Rod/reel for 3.5-year-old?

[Atticus]

BBF dads - any recommendation on a rod/reel combo for a 3.5 year-old?

I took Jr. to the lake today and he couldn't cast the float/splitshot/cricket setup with his POS Spiderman combo from Wal Mart.

Time to take the next step I guess. I think I remember reading on here that Zebco 808 is the winner. Will it stand up to some salt? Suggestions?

[turtlecat]

Buy him a Zebco 11 combo from walmart. I have 5 of them that I use for the nieces and nephews at the farm pond. Compare the price w performance. They have 2 different models. Traditional thumb push cast and a trigger pull spin cast version. I like both. If u plan on him using a spinning reel for most of his fishing experiences, then the choice is obvious. Just keep in mind these are not the Zebcos that we grew up w. The good thing about Wally world is they take em back no questions asked! Its so cool wathing a kid pull on a hand sized bream for the first time. Hope this helps. Good luck, and tight lines!

[zload]

and put a foam float on the rod

[Troutinator]

And make sure you use a float as they do sink when gone overboard and you pull off a save by using the line to pull them back to the boat. Sure can be a hero. Not that this has happened to me more than once.

[bman]

I got the Zebco Dock Demon Combo for my girls... It works great.
The rod is short but that has been an advantage since they sling it all around.
We practice reeling and casting in the yard.

Also a 8 or 10 foot bream buster is awesome.