Originally Posted by
HURRICANEBOB
In 1994 I bought my wife a Zebco Gold 33 and a Berkley Cherrywood CRC-10, 5'-6" Medium to introduce her to fishing. I spooled it with good 10 pound test. She pitches lures with it, loves to bobber fish with it, and she's caught bass, cats, gills, white bass, and even small stripers with it. She still has it today and just loves it.
What made it work for her was the ease of operation and the total light weight and ease of use of the rig. I think that's the key. Make it fun and easy to start.
I moved her up to a Zebco 888 Prostaff Reel with 20 pound test and a Ugly Stick CAL-1101 6'-6" medium heavy rod for busting Stripers on topwater. Again, she adapted to it easily because it worked just like the smaller rod and reel. And I'm telling you she can put a Redfin well down range when she sees fish busting the surface.
I'd start with something that's just real easy to use until she gets hooked on fishing, then try exploring spinning reels next, and finally thumb burners.
I got to tell ya guy, you will never feel better as a man or an angler than the day the wife squeals with delight as the drag is zingging away, and then she lands a whopper. Just don't get no flipping better than that.
Got to stop, eyes watering up.