Some off my Best memories, from Islemarada to Key West especially with Ralph Delf.
I don't know about the Brand, I do know that Bait casters are the way to go. Sounds like a smart kid to me.
Color Matters, Now go try to fiqure the rest out. Good Luck
take the redeye to FLA. or CUBA.
Throw the spinning gear in the trash, 1 or 2 Braid set ups, 4 to 6 fluro, or 1 mono for topwater
I had a 6 St. Croix med/light baitcasting rod with the small silver Shamano baitcasting reel with 8 pd. Poly-co japinesse line, then fluro for 30 years. BEST rod I ever had. One of my son's still has it, that make's it 40 years. or More ?
Go to the End of Marco to Cambras's Pass, sheephead all day with some reds, trout, etc mixed in, evening and nightime Snook and Tarpon, have fun.
If it caught fish it look's great. If you had FUN making it, It look's GREAT.
Where's my old Zarah Spook ?
Used to fish a Strike King 1/16 spinner bait with a 5 in. Kallin Grub. Esp. in the spring when the bass would be sunbathing on the beach in Maine.
With the right rig you can cast baits as light as 1/8 and lower. The line and rod are just as impt. as the reel, or almost.
Hold rod level, adjust tension to level where lure slowly drops to ground in free spool.
A leader is a weak link, buy better line.
Throw Away and get a baitcaster.