Quote Originally Posted by offdtop View Post
you know a "decent" reel that's around $50 is the Abu Garcia silver Maxx, It's not top of the line or for die hard weekend warriors but for a kid it dials in real easy, and is easy to cast. 12lb test is as big as I would go on line size. It is a good reel for the money and I would pair it with a lightning rod medium action that way he wont have any trouble casting a lighter bait. this is the cheaper of the options in case the BPS isn't in your price range. But I will tell you a good spinning outfit goes a long way too...... IMHO
Dicks has a Silver Max on a Berkley Lightning Rod Custom for $50 as a package right now... great deal i think for a beginner. Personally, I learned on old school round reels with crappy brakes. I think teachin em on something that is TOO easy to cast doesnt teach em thumb control or how to cast in the wind very well. Start em off on something that makes em work at it... then let em get into equipment that makes it easier on em.