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| Thanks to the CCMI muskie school and watching a recent presentation from Adam Oberfoell, my 12-year old son is pumped for muskie fishing this year and wants his own bait caster for his upcoming birthday.
I'm heading turkey hunting next week and can swing past Cabelas. What do you recommend? I was thinking a Abu Garcia 5500 C3 on a medium priced stick loaded with 80# Power Pro would do the trick. Thoughts? Rod suggestions, etc.?
Thanks! - Jim |
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Posts: 2894
Location: Yahara River Chain | If your son is right handed I suggest a 5501C3 and especially if your son uses a spinning reel already with the crank on the left side. I'd also opt for Cabela's Ripcord Si instead of Power Pro. The Ripcord has been much easier for me to control backlashes and when it does happen it normally comes out without the line pick coming out of the box. |
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Posts: 906
Location: Canada | My 12 yr old is using a MH St.Croix Avid 6'9" ? paired up with a 5501 C3 |
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Posts: 45
Location: TC Metro / NW WI | I've got my kids on used abu 5600's...I like the smaller size of the 5000 series and the thumb bar for them. Have been hearing about the Kalex model which has a thumb bar but haven't tried one. |
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Posts: 283
Location: beloit | If you are interested I have a 6'9" heavy st croix avid and an older shimano 300 size reel spooled with #80 cortland that I'd be willing to sell. Let me know if interested otherwise its going in the buy/sell/trade forum. |
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Posts: 1753
Location: Mt. Zion, IL | I also have a like new 6600 SSC3 that I would get rid of. This is the same as a C3, but with a thumb bar. Reel comes filled with Cortland Masterbraid or Sufix Performance Braid. |
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| Thanks for all the comments. I appreciate the offers but my kid may be upset if I get him used equipment (spoiled rotten, yes). |
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Posts: 349
| I know you want to stay away from used but there is a calcutta 200 xt in the classifieds forum for 150. SWEET reel that would be awesome for your son. |
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Location: Grand Rapids, MI | For the last couple years my son (now 10) has been throwing an Okuma EVX 8'6" with an Akena 400 reel. He holds the foregrip so the reel size doesn't matter. My problem last year was that he really liked my LT 9' Big Nasty, good excuse for getting another I guess... |
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| Hard to say exactly without seeing the kid, but I would plan for the future. If it were me I'd go with a 300 or 400 Shimano Cardiff and a 7'6" rod. Gives him something to grow into and he can always use it for jerkbaits when he gets older. |
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Posts: 132
| You can get a New TI rod or Old school tackle rod on Ebay for really cheap and they are good rods, I have also heard that the pete mania reels from BPS are nice reels for the price. You could get the whole set up for less than 180 bucks. |
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| Only a $10 difference between a 400 Cardiff and a Muskie Angler reel. The Cardiff is way smoother. A 300 might be a better option for a 12 year-old. In that case the 300 Cardiff and Muskie Angler are the same price. |
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Posts: 13
| I don't know if they still are available but I bought my 8 and 9 year olds the TI rods with the 2 handles. The shorter handles fit them perfect. It makes casting much easier. |
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Posts: 323
| one of the new shimano compre rods and a curado 300 would be a very nice set up.. |
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Posts: 432
Location: Eagan, MN | I really like the compre rods... great rods, and lifetime over the counter warranty, no questions asked. Definitely something to consider with young bucks who can be pretty hard on equipment. I'd get him the 8 footer. For reels 400b or 400te, or maybe a curado. |
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