How Much To Spend On A New / Teenage Angler 2024
Teal reply :
I've been spending more and more time with a local youth. He is 16 and has only been bass fishing a dozen times or so...mostly with me. He uses my spinning equipment. I want to buy him his own rod and reel. But I don't know what to buy him or how much to spend...I mean I know what my preferences are but I don't want to spend 300 bucks on a combo like the ones I use. On the chance that he loses intrest or something. Oh and his mom is single and can barely keep food on the table...
Money isnt an issue with me.. but I don't know how much I should spend... Opinions
Teal reply :
My reservations on buy super cheap stuff. Was I want him to have something nice / decent that will last him a while and will preform at high level....with out breaking the bank.
KritterGitter reply :
I would think a combo setup in the 40-60$ range should suffice. Also with the season starting up Gander,BPS, Dicks etc. all have really good sales going on. So you could possibly scoop up a $100+ setup for that 40-60$ range.
jhoffman reply :
You buy a pretty decent rod and reel. Id go with a pro qualifier and a carbonlite rod(so youre in under $125) in a mh action. You tell him, the rod stays in your boat till you see hes gonna keep up with it. If he quits, you add it as a technique specific rod. Its no $300 setup but will be nice and if he quits you just use it yourself.
BassnChris reply :
Buy him what you consider decent equipment.
If you go cheap it could turn him off of fishing with bait casting equipment.
A pro qualifier and a $100 rod maybe?
Never give anything that you aren't willing to write off...........I mean you don't want to have any bad feelings about giving something that if they don't like it or drop out will bother you. Every time I give a gift.....you can do what with it....won't bother me or keep me from giving again down the road.
A-Jay reply :
You're a nice guy ~
I guess first thing I'd do out of respect for his Mom, would be to ask if it would be OK to give him the gear.
Then, before I purchased a rig, I'd consider "handing down" something I might not use as much any more.
You'd be passing on some good mojo.
Otherwise, most any quality entry level set up should do it.
A-Jay
Teal reply :
On 3/17/2014 at 2:15 AM, jhoffman said:You buy a pretty decent rod and reel. Id go with a pro qualifier and a carbonlite rod(so youre in under $125) in a mh action. You tell him, the rod stays in your boat till you see hes gonna keep up with it. If he quits, you add it as a technique specific rod. Its no $300 setup but will be nice and if he quits you just use it yourself.
This whole idea came up because he called me and asked to borrow two of my spinning rods, both are Powell Endurance 712 with Stradic 2500s, just so he could go down to the river with his friends... I'm sorry but he isn't taking those rods without me....
A-Jay reply :
On 3/17/2014 at 2:19 AM, Teal said:This whole idea came up because he called me and asked to borrow two of my spinning rods, both are Powell Endurance 712 with Stradic 2500s, just so he could go down to the river with his friends... I'm sorry but he isn't taking those rods without me....
I hear that -
I'd have no problem hooking up the young lad while he's fishing with me but I'm not going to set up the local neighborhood with tackle. Junior will have to save up his dimes and get is own gear.
A-Jay
Teal reply :
Yeah... I thought so too. I'm thinking about trying to find one of the Vendetta rods for cheap. Some say thay some wally world's have them for 30 bucks again. And then I can pair it up with one of the 50 dollar Abu or Shimano spinning reels.
My buddy thinks its absurd to spend 80-100 bucks on a combo for a kid that isn't mine.... But the kid doesn't have a father figure or a man in his life that is willing to take up time with him.
A jay, all of my old gear like the old ugly sticks and cardinal reels were given away last year in my attempt to appease the wife.
tomustang reply :
Start him off right, NRX/antares dc
Ratherbfishing reply :
I guess it partly depends on his attitude toward other people and other things. I wouldn't lend an old beat up Zebco 202 to some ADULTS-let alone teenagers but for others I'd be considerably more generous. I guess to me there are two considerations: First, would he take care of it? Second, would he actually use it? But IMHO, young people don't need the best of the best right away-for the issues I listed above AND because most young people generally don't value good things if they're just handed them. Or, perhaps more charitably spoken, they appreciate things a lot more if there is some deferred gratification.
My advice: lend him some hand-me-down items and see how he treats it.
Raul reply :
A Shimano Clarus and a Shimano Sedona, around 120 bucks
Teal reply :
On 3/17/2014 at 2:41 AM, tomustang said:Start him off right, NRX/antares dc
Ok will do.. as soon as you mail them to me. Hahaha
A-Jay reply :
On 3/17/2014 at 2:37 AM, Teal said:Yeah... I thought so too. I'm thinking about trying to find one of the Vendetta rods for cheap. Some say thay some wally world's have them for 30 bucks again. And then I can pair it up with one of the 50 dollar Abu or Shimano spinning reels.
My buddy thinks its absurd to spend 80-100 bucks on a combo for a kid that isn't mine.... But the kid doesn't have a father figure or a man in his life that is willing to take up time with him.
A jay, all of my old gear like the old ugly sticks and cardinal reels were given away last year in my attempt to appease the wife.
On 3/17/2014 at 2:42 AM, Ratherbfishing said:I guess it partly depends on his attitude toward other people and other things. I wouldn't lend an old beat up Zebco 202 to some ADULTS-let alone teenagers but for others I'd be considerably more generous. I guess to me there are two considerations: First, would he take care of it? Second, would he actually use it? But IMHO, young people don't need the best of the best right away-for the issues I listed above AND because most young people generally don't value good things if they're just handed them. Or, perhaps more charitably spoken, they appreciate things a lot more if there is some deferred gratification.
My advice: lend him some hand-me-down items and see how he treats it.
Good Stuff right there ~
Perhaps the fact that the lad is interested enough to go fishing without you is a good sign.
Sounds like you're fairly set on getting him a rig.
I guess you could go two ways - spend some money on one rod & reel for him or split that same $$ into purchasing 2 set ups so that he can take (or Bring when with you) a friend -
That sounds like a job for the type of gear that comes in plastic / bubble wrap and hangs on a hook.
A-Jay
lmbfisherman reply :
What about the Pfleuger Trion combo?
tomustang reply :
I think I saw the cardinal combos over at wallymat for around $40, good starter and cheap. The real is a cardinal sx30 I believe
MarksHooked reply :
^^ This. Pick up a Trion and pair it with a Berkley Lightning rod if you can't find one in a combo, you'll spend about $80, and could then consider maybe a small backpack, a couple of left over plano boxes, and even a couple tried and true lures that he'll have fun catching fish on. Nothing better than getting another young person involved in the sport, and that is stuff that could be used for years
SnazzySenko reply :
I would say get him a combo less than $80 and go with him to Bass Pro and let him pick out $30-$50 worth of tackle. It would sure make me happy if someone took me on a shopping spree to BPS. 
But first make sure to tell him he need to take care of it and it's his responsibility now.
MemphisFF reply :
Teal i was looking at some spinning and looking at rods last week at dicks and saw some nice combos for 79 price range I need a spinning set up and picked up an Abu cardinal combo check out dicks if ya have one nearby.. By the way I commend you on what you have been doing..
Fish Murderer 71 reply :
I'm a firm believer in if I give a gift, it's none of my business what they do with it... perhaps he may have an attachment to it, he may break it. Either way, it is his. I bought my older son a Zebco spinner combo at Wal-Mart for 28 bucks and he still has it. Caught a bunch of fish with it.
WRB reply :
Good combination at a reasonable price, however.....you need to let the teen earn this so he has some skin in the game. Talk to his mon and figure out a allowance plan to help payback a few bucks toward this rod/reel, line, etc.On 3/17/2014 at 2:51 AM, Raul said:A Shimano Clarus and a Shimano Sedona, around 120 bucks
Tom
Jason Short reply :
I have a Shimano Sedona and I think it's great for a starter setup. The rod isn't as important in my opinion, you can get by with a fairly cheap one. And as a 16 year old I know how us kids think, so I'll tell you what I think about getting free stuff. If I am just handed something I don't take care of it as well as if I pay for it with my own money. I'm not saying that you shouldn't give him a setup, I think you should if he's interested and can't afford his own, but just make sure he takes care of it.
Brian Needham reply :
I think it is so awesome you are doing this!
Many Kudos to you Teal, you are good people.
K_Mac reply :
Some real good ideas here. I do completely agree with Fish Murderer that whatever you decide to give him will be his, and what happens after is out of your control. Knowing kids, I would not spend too much for an entry level set-up or two.
Talking to his mom first and letting him get, "some skin in the game' are also good suggestions I believe. Making sure he understands that is important I think. I help coach a local high school fishing team. I will sometimes provide terminal tackle for kids who can't afford it. One of the kids on the team is the son of my friend who drowned while fishing a couple of years ago. I have had to really work on teaching him responsibility when it comes to other peoples stuff, or his own for that matter because he doesn't really have any skin invested. I expect him to treat our boats and gear with respect. My position is if you lose or break something while fishing, that is just part of the deal-I expect it to happen. I do not expect to find tackle supplied by me laying in the bottom of the boat at the end of the day. Kids will challenge you Teal, but what you are doing can make a real difference in that young man's life. Good for you. 
A-Jay reply :
Teal - sent you a pm
A-Jay
Missourifishin reply :
Lots of good advice here. I think a Trion spinning reel would be great, along with a 30-50 dollar rod, and then maybe help him pick out 20-30 bucks worth of tackle.
Do you, or any of your friends/neighbors, have any yard work or other work he could do to put some money towards it? I'm not necessarily saying make him pay off every penny of the cost. But at least a little work he could put towards it. It would probably make him appreciate it and take care of it better, as Jason Short pointed out.
Either way, it's good of you to mentor a young fisherman.
Teal reply :
On 3/17/2014 at 3:38 AM, WRB said:Good combination at a reasonable price, however.....you need to let the teen earn this so he has some skin in the game. Talk to his mon and figure out a allowance plan to help payback a few bucks toward this rod/reel, line, etc.
Tom
Just left his house. Talked to his mom while he was stillout with friends. His mom told me that she has beenwanting to buy him a rod and reel sonsince all he talks about is fishing with me. She however didn't have the extra money to do so. She said that she wants him to get a job. So... It got the wheels turning in my head. I asked if it would be ok if I had him cut my grass, weedeat, trim my bushes etc.. she was thrilled. ... It will help me out a lot anyways and will keep him busy a couple afternoons every couple of weeks. I haven't decided any other details other than that.
A-Jay reply :
On 3/17/2014 at 5:02 AM, Teal said:Just left his house. Talked to his mom while he was stillout with friends. His mom told me that she has beenwanting to buy him a rod and reel sonsince all he talks about is fishing with me. She however didn't have the extra money to do so. She said that she wants him to get a job. So... It got the wheels turning in my head. I asked if it would be ok if I had him cut my grass, weedeat, trim my bushes etc.. she was thrilled. ... It will help me out a lot anyways and will keep him busy a couple afternoons every couple of weeks. I haven't decided any other details other than that.
Perfect !
A-Jay
jhoffman reply :
I dont think you can just have him cut your grass and give him a $100 rod at the end of summer. As a teen that wouldve really burned me up. Id possibly offer the rod/reel mid way through the summer as a "bonus", if hes cutn your grass every week, the kid deserves some money to spend as he sees fit too.
jhoffman reply :
One other note, in the world of "sue sue sue" that we live in, if youre gonna have him run power equipment I would have his mom sign a waiver. Dont even know if that will cover you but better than nothing.
roadwarrior reply :
On 3/17/2014 at 2:17 AM, A-Jay said:I'd consider "handing down" something I might not use as much any more.
You'd be passing on some good mojo.
Teal reply :
Jeremy, thay used to burn me up too. I used to work my butt off all day just for a Sun Drop Soda and an ice cream Sandwich. I plan on a more than fair rate for the yard work.
I plan on closely supervising the first couple times. I'm not too worried about all that.
Smallmouth Hunter reply :
Falcon Bucoo has apparently been on sale for around $40 at Walmart recently. Also, you mentioned the Veritas has been on sale. Both of those would be a great, cheap starter rod.
For the reel, find a used shimano 2500 sized reel. Either that, or a Pflueger President or trion which can be had for around 20-40 used.
Might seem like the cheapy route to go, but this is nice equipment and I am sure the kid would enjoy it.
Teal reply :
A couple members messaged me and offered to help with this endeavor and I just want to let you guys know how much I appreciate their offers and how good this group of men we have here is.
We have some stand up guys here on BR !
1234567 reply :
I apologize if this has already been said but I think what you're doing is great!
I would take into consideration his maturity level and how well you'd expect him to take care of the equipment you buy him. I would only let how much the outfit cost be determined by how much you consider would be too much for yourself to spend. If he is very mature and trusting enough that he will value his gift and take care of it set him off on the right foot and get him something a bit nicer. If he decides later he doesn't like fishing then it is what it is.
Hyrule Bass reply :
at the beginning of the summer, start him off with one of the 20 dollar shakespeare tiger spinning combos from walmart. i had one for years until i gave it to my uncle because i stripped the handle from screwing in on the left side and cant reel with my right. the reel still worked great though. i would do this for his payment for the first lawn cut and work. now its obviously he will be doing more than $20 in work a day. so id also give him a few hooks, sinkers, plastics, couple lures or so, to get him started. and then work out cash payments the rest of the summer. and if he does a great job on the yard work the rest of the year, give him a better combo as a bonus at the end of the summer.
McAlpine reply :
Get him a lightning rod with a decent spinning reel. If you want to spend more get him a tackle box and some baits. That rig will serve him well.
What your doing is awesome. This will be something that young man will remember for the rest of his life and it is acts of kindness such as this which build character in youth when they can see the right way to treat others.
Teal reply :
On 3/17/2014 at 8:03 AM, Red Earth said:at the beginning of the summer, start him off with one of the 20 dollar shakespeare tiger spinning combos from walmart. i had one for years until i gave it to my uncle because i stripped the handle from screwing in on the left side and cant reel with my right. the reel still worked great though. i would do this for his payment for the first lawn cut and work. now its obviously he will be doing more than $20 in work a day. so id also give him a few hooks, sinkers, plastics, couple lures or so, to get him started. and then work out cash payments the rest of the summer. and if he does a great job on the yard work the rest of the year, give him a better combo as a bonus at the end of the summer.
As far as the work and tackle. I was thinking along those lines too!
camovan reply :
I'm glad I read this thread all the way through. Giving him a job and letting him buy his own gear (if thats what he choses to do with the money) makes a better man than simply receiving gifts. If you throw in fishing related bonuses from time to time that is more of a "perk" than a gift.
fishinthedacks reply :
It's funny you mention this. I have a 4 yr old who is my own and my fiance has 2 kids 8/12. I try to treat them the same. I gave them a 12.00 tackle box and their own small tackle shelves. My son has a spider man pole and a dock demon (30.00 total), the 8 yr old and 12 yr old I plan to let them both pick out their own 29.99 spin rod/reel combos or pick one of my spares this year. I think a 29.99 combo and a 12.00 3 shelf tackle box from plan at Wal Mart and let him pick out 15.00 in soft plastics and maybe 2 cheap lures (or maybe sign him up for 1 month of the mystery tackle box or lucky tackle box) and if he likes the idea he can decide to continue spending his money for fishing tackle in the mail which may keep him interested if he keeps getting new stuff to try in the mail. That may go a long way and keep him working towards making his own money for his own tackle (that's what I'm going to do the with the 12 yr old since he decided to buy his own tackle box so he didnt have to share with the 4 and 8 yr old)....
WIGuide reply :
Awesome idea for what you're doing. From the sounds of what you said about talking to his mom, he really likes fishing! You might even want to consider letting him pick out his combo and then work towards that set amount. That way if he wants something more expensive, he can get it but he will have to work longer. Are you letting him keep doing lawn work after it's paid off or is he done when he's paid up on his gear?
Bluebasser86 reply :
One of my passions in this sport is introducing people to it, young and old. I usually keep several decent combos at the house to loan out, from spincast, spinning, and baitcasting. Most of them used to be on my starting line up but have since been replaced. If you don't have anything like that laying around there's plenty of mid range priced gear out there that will work just fine. I believe I saw in DSGs add that right now if you buy certain reels you get a Berkley Amp rod for $1. I know one of those spinning reels was a Pfluegar President because I was thinking about going and getting one myself. That would be a fine combo for a beginning angler for under $70 with tax.
prjavelin reply :
daiwa ballistics 7'2 ml are at around 58$ in TW with a pflueger president 50$. I have that combo and it is great, I love it! the reel is SMOOOOOTH and the rod is sensitive enough and well balanced to my liking.
Teal reply :
On 3/17/2014 at 11:47 AM, WIGuide said:Awesome idea for what you're doing. From the sounds of what you said about talking to his mom, he really likes fishing! You might even want to consider letting him pick out his combo and then work towards that set amount. That way if he wants something more expensive, he can get it but he will have to work longer. Are you letting him keep doing lawn work after it's paid off or is he done when he's paid up on his gear?
Yeah I was talking privately with another member and u had mentioned letting the young man work for a couple weeks ans then taking him to BPS.
WIGuide reply :
On 3/17/2014 at 11:12 PM, Teal said:Yeah I was talking privately with another member and u had mentioned letting the young man work for a couple weeks ans then taking him to BPS.
Awesome! I think it's really cool you're taking him under your wing like that.
CincyBassMan reply :
On 3/17/2014 at 2:37 AM, Teal said:Yeah... I thought so too. I'm thinking about trying to find one of the Vendetta rods for cheap. Some say thay some wally world's have them for 30 bucks again. And then I can pair it up with one of the 50 dollar Abu or Shimano spinning reels.
My buddy thinks its absurd to spend 80-100 bucks on a combo for a kid that isn't mine.... But the kid doesn't have a father figure or a man in his life that is willing to take up time with him.
A jay, all of my old gear like the old ugly sticks and cardinal reels were given away last year in my attempt to appease the wife.
Nothing wrong with helping the kid out. We all had someone to give us a push in the right direction as beginners. My mother was single and if it weren't for my grandfather making an extra effort to get me started I would have never gone fishing. I say buy him the vendetta set up that you mentioned and one day he may be telling his kid about the awesome guy (you) and how you took him under your wing. He will also pay it forward!
Montanaro reply :
Give him cheapo stuff.
It teaches him that fishing is mental skill not how pretty your rod is.
In the future if he likes fishing it will motivate him to earn money to buy better.
nbowen419 reply :
When I was just getting into baitcasters I found the mega cast combos at BPS really were a good deal. I paid $50.00 a piece and bought 2. I still have them both and that was about 3 years ago.
MichiganFishing1997 reply :
I just turned 17, and id have to say that I may be the opposite of most. When someone gives me something I treat it better than if I had biught it, it means more to me. On the other hand I learn much more and feel better in the end when I worked for the money to buy all my gear. I think the lawn cutting plan is a great idea. Its a happy medium for both sides. If you need a tackle box just let me know, il send one your way.
Christian
Teal reply :
UPDATE - after church tonight, I took my little buddy to the Walmart and my tackle shop and helped him pick out some gear with the moneys he earned both from me ans two of my neighbors ( cutting grass, raking leaves, trming bushes)
He had a little over 250 with some money he already had.
I gave him the option of getting a couple set ups, or one nicer set up and whatever combination with some tackle.
He surprised me. He had been looking at the Berkely rods, the convergence and the Sellus rods think he could get two and two cheap reels. He opted for one nicer yet modest combo, and some tungsten weights, hooks, and a couple 3700 boxes to put some of the plastics, jigs, and old crankbaits that I gave him from my personal stash.
So what did he walk out with? A Shimanio Clarus 6'8mh xf casting rod 79.99 and a Lews Tournament MG that was on clearance for 104.99.
I gave him a spool of Mono to put on it while he continues to learn baitcasters.
Very proud of the young man.
Brian Needham reply :
NICE!
Alonerankin2 reply :
Teal.... You know... Do what you're already doing!
Follow you're Heart... You can do this at you're discretion... This young fella will always remember this more than gracious act.
It's awesome to hear this.. In a oft times visious world. I have given many rods reels to select youth. It always does my heart good to do so.
Such a great thread! Way to go dude!
NEjitterbugger reply :
On 4/3/2014 at 10:11 AM, Alonerankin2 said:Teal.... You know... Do what you're already doing!
Follow you're Heart... You can do this at you're discretion... This young fella will always remember this more than gracious act.
It's awesome to hear this.. In a oft times visious world. I have given many rods reels to select youth. It always does my heart good to do so.
Such a great thread! Way to go dude!
X2
Teal reply :
Thanks guys.
Hyrule Bass reply :
man, yall are cutting grass down there already?
Teal reply :
On 4/4/2014 at 12:18 AM, Red Earth said:man, yall are cutting grass down there already?
Yes sir. For a couple weeks now. Its been really wet in between warm spells.
Amarley reply :
Get him something nice that he'll appreciate and make him earn it. Make a deal to help you out with some chores or cleaning your boat. Win-win and he'll have something he earned that he's proud of. I can give you a deal on a bait caster set up since it's for a kid getting into fishing.
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