Surf set up for an 11 year old

[Parapapam]

Guys,

My 11 year old asked for a surf rod for his birthday to play with when Dad is earning a living and the boat isn't going out. Here are my boundaries:

1. I don't like buying crap. But he is 11 and I see this set up getting beat up and abused.

2. My budget is under $250 combined (rod/reel)

3. This is for fishing in the Falmouth Ma area.

4. I think I live 2 piece rods since I envision him lugging this set up on his bike.

What you the experts suggest?

Mike

[aloop]

2 piece combo from Walmart, no big loss if destroyed!

Use braid, more forgiving, I have a couple Penn 704z's spooled with 50lbs and works great handlining for flounder!

[Tuna Meltdown]

Mike, buy him a Shimano Bait Runner and put it on a 7.5' or 8' Uglistick. Indestructable rod and a great reel for the money.

[On The Edge]

Cheap surf rod from Wallmart is OK. Cheep Reel from Wallmart big mistake. Spend the money on the reel. Cheep reels dont last even if you do take care of them.

I had a friend bring me a few Cheep reels he got at walmart this summer and were used 2 times and were "crunchy" Asked if i could take a look at them. I opened the sidecover and threw them in the trash. Parts were all there but we full of sand,salt and rust. Total garbage.

I am going to 2nd Dans advice is on the reel.

[Fishypantsmagoo]

Mike,

Dan is spot on with the Baitrunner...get him the 3500 model or it may have a new model name as they just released a new generation of the reel along with some new sizes, both bigger and smaller.

The Ugly Stik is a great choice as well. My suggestion for comparison sake is the St. Croix Triumph series rod...they are very affordable and quality rods that come in 2 piece models.

Braid is a good idea but mono is cheaper and easier to untangle. Limp monofilament such as Trilene XL or Silver Thread are very good lines that cast well.

Additionally, I have a bunch of plugs that he can have as I don't get to surf fish much anymore and I know some great places for him to go around Falmouth.

Hope all is well and look forward to getting together sometime this winter.

John

[Parapapam]

Guys,

Thanks for all the suggestions. They are pretty much in line with what I was thinking. For slinging eels on the boat he has a Penn 4500, 7 foot Ugly Stick and braid. Once a year he makes a mess of the braid. But in general that is due to casting into the wind at night.

Would you go with the Baitrunner over something like the Spheros? Is the baitrunner feature all that important from the beach?

Magoo, I will certainly take your advice on locations... For now his boundaries will range from the Wood Neck Beach through Wild Harbor. This covers two salt streams and West Falmouth Harbor. Plenty of places for small bluefish and stripers. But if Dad decides to make a night raid when it is too rough for the boat, I will check with you.

Mike

[Fishypantsmagoo]

The Baitrunner line, in my opinion, is one of the best reels made because of its versatility and the baitrunner feature is the original and the best. The drags are smooth. With the baitrunner he can cast and work plugs or live eels, but also the option of the baitrunner feature for chunking.

Additionally it will double as a great setup for fluking, live baiting funny fish, and small sharking from shore (i have some spots for him for those too )

[Col. Kurtz]

I would also concur on the Shimano Baitrunner. Well built, great value, and you can beat the crap out of them. My 10 year old daughter can handle the 4500 just fine.

[giggyfish]

My suggestion would be a 9 foot shakespeare 2 piece and a Penn 6500 ssm. When I was a kid I would have destroyed a baitrunner reel on my bike, this outfit is bullet proof and he will grow into it nicely. As a matter a fact I still have mine that I bought when I was 14, that was 21 years ago. Although the model numbers might Be different The product is the same. Keep it simple......my2¢
Giggy

[Dads Dream]

Mike, buy him a Shimano Bait Runner and put it on a 7.5' or 8' Uglistick. Indestructable rod and a great reel for the money.

Echo that! Rod & reel exactly~ there may be a few leftover Baitrunners in a few smaller shops out there~ mfg stopped and its been replaced by (what?) Saragossa and what's the other reel??? but if you can find a 4500 or 6500 BR and match it with 50 lb braid....he'll be good to go for many seasons.

Now that I think about it~ go to the lighter reel setup....my 12 yr old son has all he can do to manage the 6500....and he really can't cast it