BigBendFishing.Net

Surely folks have asked these questions before but I would great appreciate if you would humor yet another beginner. We fish the flats and some from the shore.

I want to buy my kids new reels for Christmas. The spinners I bought on ebay last year a pretty bad - don't cast very far and line tangles quite a bit. Those two things combined are a recipe for disaster for an 8 & 7 y/o.... Can anyone recommend a good spinner or spincast (closed face) reel I can get for the kids? Would be willing to spend up to the area of $30

Next - My 4 y/o is doing ok with the "Scooby Doo" pole but I am wondering if there are any short light-weight reel & pole (serrate or combo) that will work for use in saltwater cause Scooby doesn't - yes I rinse all the reels thoroughly after each use. Would be willing to spend up to the area of $30

I would like a new reel too as mine are just about toast. Last year I bought a decent baitcast and but haven't gotten the hang of it yet so am looking for a spinner. Would be willing to spend up to the area of $50-75

Finally, any recommendations about lines would be appreciated too. I don't mind the kids losing a few to break offs I just want them to be able to cast to an area and have a chance to hook-up for a fight. They are using cast baits more and more - like electric chicken, etc...

Thanks in advance for your help.

Mr. Flats,
I don't see how you could go wrong buying the kids a zebco 33 on a 5 or 5.5 ft. med. action pole. But I'd get one piece rods as the 2- piece ones are usually too limber. Sometimes that rig comes in a combo and is ok if the pole is right. They come with 10 lb. test line which is ok for a while, 12 lb. is better. Rinse them out well after each trip and open the cover to let them dry. They'll last a lot longer. Since I started using spinning gear, the Mitchell Avocet 2000 has been a favorite of mine, smooth and inexpensive. About $24 bucks. A 6 ft. med. action rod works good. And there's a lot of good lines out there, Trilene big game in 12 lb. test is real good. Smooth and tough. Handles big trout and reds well. Good luck with your search. Whatever you get I'd stick with quality gear, it'll give you better service and last longer. Spray some reel magic on the reels between trips.

The Zebco 733 HAWG
http://www.zebco.com/catalog/733.html

I also like the Spiderline XXX Mono 17# test

Hi Mr. Flats,
I've recently purchased some new spinners myself. I settled on the penn 440ssg. I've only used them twice since I bought them, but they seem to be good reels. Retail prices vary greatly, so I would advise you to shop around. For example wal-mart sells the 440ssg for $92; I found mine for $72 online at Fisherman's Headquarters and shipping was free.
As for the kids, I agree that zebco is probably the best bet. They have a Pro Staff line which I have had very good service with. I have two 888 models which have held up for years with no problems. The pro staff reels are hard to find around here, but Bass Pro carries them in about your price range.

Good luck

For the kids:

Can't beat them Zeb 33's! Although in my experiences, higher pound test means harder to cast. Line seems to get hung while traveling thru the bell. I think the max I used in the past was (12lb Strein High Impact)

For dad:

I like the Mitchell as well. I have the 300X, it is smooth and has a high gear ratio 6 to 1. Fast reels enables you to catch up slack line and work baits quickly without getting wore-out! $39.99 at Wal-Mart. Also just about anything made by Shimano is great but you will spend a little more. Around $59.99 and up for a combo at Wally-Word.

Most folks haven't used the Zebco 733 Hawg, it is a very dependable reel, holds 100 yards of 17# test and cast like a dream "don't use the preloaded 20# test line" My wife has landed a 3 foot shark with her Hawg with no ill affects to it Like all spincast though, it has to be cleaned and USED regularly to keep working correctly and the size is comparable to the 33 Zebco

For the spinner for you take a look at the Quantum Kinetic Spinners. Retail is $70, but they can be found brand new on Ebay for under $50. They work fine in salt or fresh with just a freshwater rinse and yearly cleaning. For the kids take a look at some of the Zebco spincast reels. I used one for years as a kid and it is still sitting at home waiting to be used again. Don't know how they hold up in saltwater though since we only fished freshwater when I was a kid.

Nathan

If anyone else has other thoughts please feel free to add them - I will check back later for additional posts.

Thanks again.