It's time for my grandson (7 yrs old) to cast his own rod, lol! I've used spinners since I landed on the Mayflower and he catches all the fish because I'm constantly re-baiting and casting. I assume spin-casters are still the starter-reels of choice, but I haven't looked at any in years. Anybody recommend a a good one. We mostly trout, smallmouth fish in the mountains, so I'd prefer something that came with (or at least would handle) 6lb. test line or less. If it's a combo with a nice little 5-51/2' light weight rod, so much the better. What's out there? If we go after cats, that's a waiting game and we'll take my stuff.
Recommendation-First child's reel
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I still go Zebco push button for starting kids out. A 202 or something very similar. I can disassemble and reassemble one in my sleep if they get boogered up. You will find a few different combos at big retailers, some with graphics kids like, some plain ones that they won't outgrow as quickly.
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Zebco 33 is what my kids use. Great starter reels!
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Shakespeare Ti6 model has the push button more on the back than the NEW Zebco 33/202. It also is a little bit smaller and lighter for little forearms and hands. The previous model Zebco 33 (some still on store shelves) had the button more on the back, and I would recommend it for a growing youngun over the Ti6, but the Ti6 is better for small hands than the NEW 33.
There's also the Zebco 11. It's very tiny, and more special purpose Crappie/Panfish reel - but fits the bill for the little tykes.
Plus Fishin'
RW
There's also the Zebco 11. It's very tiny, and more special purpose Crappie/Panfish reel - but fits the bill for the little tykes.
Plus Fishin'
RW
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They messed with the 202/33? Blasphemy! Progress is fine, make some new and different models and give them new names/numbers. It might disturb my sleep to have to fix one of the new ones... 
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Zebco 33 was bulletproof for ages. Now it's not worth the plastic it's wrapped in. I know this is for a child but still don't waste your money. I've purchased a few for my bride to be and they didn't last 30 min. Piece of junk. Spend another $20 or so and get something you'll have for a little while.
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I did the same. Zebco 33 Classic.(worth the extra $) and a matched 6' Zebco cork handle rod.
Edit: I did some looking online. It appears the "Classic" is now called the "Platinum". Why don't they leave things alone?
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Yes get the classic. More money but you get metal and notnplastic
Go with a better reel, not a 202. I am not sure of Zebco's offerings nowadays, but a 202 is asking for problems. Spend a little more and get them a good reel. All I had to fish with in youngers days were family castoffs, which was almost entirely 202's. How i wished I could have used better reels! Not saying anything wrong with Zebco's, just get a better offering from them. It may cost a little more, but it will work better and last longer to boot.
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Pflueger makes a great spin caster. You may also consider trigger spins for castability.
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http://www.walmart.com/ip/Zebco-Custom-33-5-6-Spincast-Combo-Pre-Mount-Hot-Show/24062880 short and easy to handle, steel body so it can handle being dropped over and over as kids will do. Rinse out the dirt occasionally, pop the back off and grease and keep on fishing. I still use these for "plinking" rods and guests/nephews..
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Many have learned to fish with a Zebco spincast reel like the 202 or 33, shall we say they are proven winners. I would think it might be just as easy to teach him with a small spinning reel, especially if you are fishing lighter lines, if I remember right, 202s come with like 10 lbs test. On the plus side, if he decides he doesnt want to fish anymore, you will have a reel you can and will use yourself. Spin cas reels can twist line just like a spinning reel but its much easier to get out of a spinning reel.
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http://www.zebco.com/thenew33/index.html you can see the selections they make now
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Check out Abu Garcia's abumatics. I have been told the new ones can handle braid and are only about twenty dollars more than a 33.
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Zebco 11! Same as the 33 only smaller. Handles #6 or #4 just fine. Add an Eagle Claw Featherlight casting rod and you might find yourself "stealing" it away on a regular basis!
That being said @ 7yo he should be able to manage a spinner with very little practice ........ My 2 sons and my 2 grandsons have been "spinning" since age 4.
That being said @ 7yo he should be able to manage a spinner with very little practice ........ My 2 sons and my 2 grandsons have been "spinning" since age 4.
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At 7 years old, he should be able to handle a small spinning reel with a little coaching.
It wouldn't be much longer before he would move into one anyway.
Spend some time in the evenings backyard casting.
It wouldn't be much longer before he would move into one anyway.
Spend some time in the evenings backyard casting.
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