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From the moment my son was born I could not wait to take him fishing for the first time. Unlike my own fishing where a limit or PB is the goal, the only thing I wanted for our first outing was for him to have fun. Well, I also wanted to avoid spending the whole time dealing with tangles.
We dug some worms out of the garden and headed to a local pond. The bluegill were surprisingly reluctant that day, but eventually we got one to eat and avoided a bird’s nest in the process.
That successful day, and many others, is thanks to the rod and reel combo I bought — the Kid Casters Spincast Combo. It’s a rod that’s designed to reduce headaches with a unique design and durable build. Here’s what I like about it and some cons to consider before buying one.
Kid Casters Spincast Combo
- Length: 34 inches
- Right hand retrieve
- Colors: Snake, Leopard, Blue, orange (Krazy), camo, and Blippi
- Best for fishing bait and a bobber
- Comes with a practice lure and a bobber
- Price: $30-$35
What I like About the Kid Casters Spincast Combo
It Doesn’t Tangle
The genius of this rod’s design is that it doesn’t have any guides. So it can get stepped on and dragged without damage or tangles. The line feeds from the reel, through the inside of the hollow rod and out the tip. You have less line exposed and therefore less line to get snagged.
It’s Easy to Use
The combo comes with a fake lure and a bobber. The fake lure is ideal for teaching a kid how to use the spincast reel. My son was a little over 2 years old when we walked into Bass Pro to get this rod, and he was dropping the lure straight down and reeling it back up the same day.
It’s Durable
The Kid Casters rod has served as a toy around the house and a piece of fishing gear for the last three months. It’s been dragged down paths, dropped on decks, stepped on, and generally abused by my toddler. I’m still using the line it came with and the rod is holding up wonderfully.
Where the Kid Casters Can Improve
Casting and Sensitivity
If you’re used to dropping a jig inside of a five-gallon bucket from 60 feet, you’ll be sorely disappointed in this rod’s accuracy. This rod isn’t accurate because it’s short and it doesn’t flex or load when you cast it. Don’t expect much in the way of distance either. But, after a few errant casts an adult can cast the bait in the right general direction. The rod doesn’t have much sensitivity for the same reason that it’s difficult to cast. That’s why I’d exclusively fish this rod with bait and a bobber. It’s also best for fishing from a dock or boat due to the casting distance limitations.
Threading Line Back Through the Rod
While this rod avoids tangles, you will have a headache on your hands if the end of the line slips into the rod. The process for getting the line threaded back out the rod’s tip isn’t straightforward, but the tools needed are cleverly hidden within it. The hook keeper unscrews and you’ll find weights inside there. You’ll need to attach the line to one of those weights and slide it down rod then out the tip.
Final Thoughts
The Kid Casters’ strongest attribute is that it maximizes fun and minimizes headaches. It’s best suited for a kid who is getting their first rod and who is fishing from a dock or boat.