New rod/reel for grandson: You guys and gals have so much knowledge and experience, thought you could help. Looking at a Lew's Xfinity IM7 rod and XSH30 reel combo from Walmart for my...

Yankeeblue Loc: Manchester CT (near Hartford)

You guys and gals have so much knowledge and experience, thought you could help. Looking at a Lew's Xfinity IM7 rod and XSH30
reel combo from Walmart for my 15 year old grandson. Will be fishing for trout and bass.
Plan on putting 10# braid on it. Any thoughts or opinions good or bad would be appreciated
Or maybe better suggestions. Thanks!

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

Yankeeblue wrote:

You guys and gals have so much knowledge and experience, thought you could help. Looking at a Lew's Xfinity IM7 rod and XSH30
reel combo from Walmart for my 15 year old grandson. Will be fishing for trout and bass.
Plan on putting 10# braid on it. Any thoughts or opinions good or bad would be appreciated
Or maybe better suggestions. Thanks!

Spinning reel combo, or bait casting?

saw1 Loc: nor cal Windsor

Yankeeblue wrote:

You guys and gals have so much knowledge and experience, thought you could help. Looking at a Lew's Xfinity IM7 rod and XSH30
reel combo from Walmart for my 15 year old grandson. Will be fishing for trout and bass.
Plan on putting 10# braid on it. Any thoughts or opinions good or bad would be appreciated
Or maybe better suggestions. Thanks!

I think that sounds like it would work just fine. Take some pics of it and his success. Tight lines.

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

I think you should reconsider the 10 pound braid since it is approx 1/3 the diameter of same strength mono. I am afraid that line that skinney would be a problem. Just Sayin was...RJS

saw1 Loc: nor cal Windsor

Robert J Samples wrote:

I think you should reconsider the 10 pound braid since it is approx 1/3 the diameter of same strength mono. I am afraid that line that skinney would be a problem. Just Sayin was...RJS

I use 8# braid on the one I throw my little swimbaits with and it works great. With a 1/8 oz. jig head and a 3.75 swimbait I can throw it prolly 40 yards. Specially if it is WITH the wind. It is 2# diameter in size and looks like a hair or a spider web floatin down to the water.

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

But are you using a spinning or bait casting reel? I believe a youngster starting out on a bait casting reel would have problems with line that thin! Just Sayin...RJS

saw1 Loc: nor cal Windsor

Robert J Samples wrote:

But are you using a spinning or bait casting reel? I believe a youngster starting out on a bait casting reel would have problems with line that thin! Just Sayin...RJS

OH. I'm using a spinnin reel for sure. I didn't know he was thinkin of using a bait caster. I wouldn't advise one of those for a kid learnin how to cast and using that light of line on it either.

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

saw1 wrote:

OH. I'm using a spinnin reel for sure. I didn't know he was thinkin of using a bait caster. I wouldn't advise one of those for a kid learnin how to cast and using that light of line on it either.

This is why I asked. I encourage starting with a spinning combo for versatility. Lew’s has some nice stuff, for sure. When I searched it, all I came up with was a bait caster.

trlittle Loc: Chico CA

Yankeeblue wrote:

You guys and gals have so much knowledge and experience, thought you could help. Looking at a Lew's Xfinity IM7 rod and XSH30
reel combo from Walmart for my 15 year old grandson. Will be fishing for trout and bass.
Plan on putting 10# braid on it. Any thoughts or opinions good or bad would be appreciated
Or maybe better suggestions. Thanks!

You might think about putting a little bigger lb. test braid on the reel, and then attach some momno at the end of your braid

Old Hickory

saw1 wrote:

I think that sounds like it would work just fine. Take some pics of it and his success. Tight lines.

I’d keep away from the braid for one reason . He might be tempted to pick up the fish by the line to land it . Braid can cut right throu you and ruin a fun time . Just a thought. Tight lines to you!

Yankeeblue Loc: Manchester CT (near Hartford)

OJdidit wrote:

Spinning reel combo, or bait casting?

Spinning reel

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

Yankeeblue wrote:

Spinning reel

Cool, thanks
There are some nice combos out there, depending upon your budget.
Lew’s
Pflueger
Abu Garcia
Find a 6’6” to 7pm Medium action rod and spool it with a decent 10-15# braid with a 3-4’ monofilament or fluorocarbon 6# leader. This ought to give him a head start on those trout and most bass.
Good luck.

Yankeeblue Loc: Manchester CT (near Hartford)

Thanks for the help guys. Appreciate you.
Hi ho hi ho, it's off to work I go.
Still working at 72, glad I'm still able to.

Flathead3888

Nice combo, I'd also would go lighter on the braid 8# would be your best bet.

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

Yankeeblue wrote:

You guys and gals have so much knowledge and experience, thought you could help. Looking at a Lew's Xfinity IM7 rod and XSH30
reel combo from Walmart for my 15 year old grandson. Will be fishing for trout and bass.
Plan on putting 10# braid on it. Any thoughts or opinions good or bad would be appreciated
Or maybe better suggestions. Thanks!

That sounds like a great combo Yankeeblue, but I would emphasize caution when handling a fish on braid. The smaller the diameter,the easier it cuts into skin! Good luck to you and your grandson!